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⇱ ensign - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

ensign

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈɛnsən/, /ˈɛnsaɪn/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈɛnsən/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(en′sīn; Mil. en′sən)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
en•sign /ˈɛnsən/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. Military, Naval Termsa flag or banner, such as a naval flag used to indicate nationality.
  2. Militarythe lowest commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
en•sign  (en′sīn; Mil. en′sən),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Military, Naval Termsa flag or banner, as a military or naval standard used to indicate nationality.
  2. a badge of office or authority, as heraldic arms.
  3. a sign, token, or emblem:the dove, an ensign of peace.
  4. Military[U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.]the lowest commissioned officer, ranking next below a lieutenant, junior grade, and equal to a second lieutenant in the Army.
  5. [Archaic.]standard-bearer (def. 1).
  • Latin insignia; see insignia
  • Old French enseigne
  • Middle English ensigne 1325–75
en′sign•ship′, en′sign•cy, n. 
    1. pennant, streamer.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
ensign /ˈɛnsaɪn/ n
  1. /(also) ˈɛnsən/ a flag flown by a ship, branch of the armed forces, etc, to indicate nationality, allegiance, etc
    See also Red Ensign, White Ensign
  2. any flag, standard, or banner
  3. a standard-bearer
  4. a symbol, token, or emblem; sign
  5. (in the US Navy) a commissioned officer of the lowest rank
  6. (in the British infantry) a colours bearer
  7. (formerly in the British infantry) a commissioned officer of the lowest rank
Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French enseigne, from Latin insigniaˈensignˌship, ˈensigncy n
'ensign' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
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