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.
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White Ensign
White Ensignnounthe 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
Americannoun
White Ensign
British
noun
Etymology
Origin of white ensign
First recorded in 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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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
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
The aircraft carrier's Commanding Officer Captain Jerry Kyd will also give a speech and present the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth with a ship's white ensign.
From BBC ● Jan. 22, 2011
A fleet of 1,350 vessels, including 42 battleships and battle cruisers, flew the service's white ensign.
From Time Magazine Archive
At this moment the British battle cruisers, with the white ensign streaming from their bows, were seen looming through the mist.
From The Childrens' Story of the War, Volume 2 (of 10) From the Battle of Mons to the Fall of Antwerp. by James Edward Parrott
For the first time she'll raise the White Ensign - officially becoming a Royal Navy Warship.
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
