ensign
noun
en·sign
ˈen(t)-sən 
also for senses 1, 2, & 3a
ˈen-ˌsīn
1
: a flag that is flown (as by a ship) as the symbol of nationality and that may also be flown with a distinctive badge added to its design
3
a
: an infantry officer of what was formerly the lowest commissioned rank
b
: a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a chief warrant officer and below a lieutenant junior grade
Synonyms
Examples of ensign in a Sentence
that ensign of tutorial authority, the hickory stick
fittingly, the organization promoting the welfare of marine life features a dolphin on its ensign
Recent Examples on the Web
In the wake of the New York Times running a series of reports about which flags Alito and his wife have flown over their properties, including the Revolutionary War–era Appeal to Heaven naval ensign, progressives everywhere ...
—
James Erwin, National Review, 1 July 2024
My dad was an ensign on the USS Pensacola for three years, three months and three days in the South Pacific.
—Jim Martin, The Denver Post, 27 May 2024
As ensign, Finnegan worked as a division officer, overseeing the work of a crew of seamen and petty officers in a specific division.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
Among them were the blue ensign of Australia and the two banners of its Indigenous peoples.
—Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for ensign 
James Erwin, National Review, 1 July 2024
My dad was an ensign on the USS Pensacola for three years, three months and three days in the South Pacific.
—Jim Martin, The Denver Post, 27 May 2024
As ensign, Finnegan worked as a division officer, overseeing the work of a crew of seamen and petty officers in a specific division.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
Among them were the blue ensign of Australia and the two banners of its Indigenous peoples.
—Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for ensign
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ensign.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ensign
Cite this Entry
“Ensign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensign. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ensign
noun
en·sign
ˈen(t)-sən
in senses 1 & 2 also
ˈen-ˌsīn
1
: a flag flown as the symbol of nationality (as on a ship)
2
: a badge of office, rank, or power
3
: a naval commissioned officer of the lowest rank
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