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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

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

The vessel's white ensign will be lowered for the final time at a special ceremony in front of honorary guests.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2011

At dawn one day last month the British submarine Regent slipped past mine fields into the harbor of Cattaro and ran up her largest white ensign.

From Time Magazine Archive

The commodore put me on board in his gig, with the white ensign floating over the stern.

From The English in the West Indies or, The Bow of Ulysses by Froude, James Anthony