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• white ensign
  white ensign

  noun

  the British naval ensign, consisting of the red cross of St. George on a white field, with the British union occupying the upper quarter along the hoist.
• White Ensign
  White Ensign

  noun

  the ensign of the Royal Navy and the Royal Yacht Squadron, having a red cross on a white background with the Union Jack at the upper corner of the vertical edge alongside the hoist Compare Red Ensign Blue Ensign

white ensign

American  

noun

1. the British naval ensign, consisting of the red cross of St. George on a white field, with the British union occupying the upper quarter along the hoist.

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White Ensign British  

noun

1. the ensign of the Royal Navy and the Royal Yacht Squadron, having a red cross on a white background with the Union Jack at the upper corner of the vertical edge alongside the hoist Compare Red Ensign Blue Ensign

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Etymology

Origin of white ensign

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

white ensign White Ensign

He was a Flag Officer and went without food or drink for the whole day as he held the naval white ensign.

From BBC ● May 6, 2023

He was believed to have been the last surviving British marine to see the Royal Navy’s white ensign raised over Sword Beach as allied forces advanced.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 16, 2022

Looking back, the two figures on watch were silhouetted by the glow of the white ensign flapping in the wind and a flashing orange beacon.

From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2015

Up went the blue and white ensign on the victory flagpole a third time.

From Time Magazine Archive

Two days later, to the great satisfaction of the boys, a large cutter flying the white ensign was seen approaching the harbour.

From By Conduct and Courage A Story of the Days of Nelson by Rainey, W. (William)

The monarch will board her namesake ship in Portsmouth to see the Royal Navy White Ensign raised on the vessel for the first time.

From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2017

There is also a large White Ensign on the left shoulder.

From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2015

The commander of the operation has sent the following message: ''Be pleased to inform Her Majesty that the White Ensign flies alongside the Union Jack in South Georgia.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 19, 2014

The commander of the operation has sent the following message: “Be pleased to inform Her Majesty that the White Ensign flies alongside the Union Jack in South Georgia. God save the Queen.”

From New York Times ● Sep. 19, 2014

We flew the White Ensign at halfmast from dawn to sundown on the day she died.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, December 26, 1917 by Various