noun Uncommon

flagship

FLAG-shihp

Flagship (noun) means the ship that carries a fleet commander and flies their flag. Example: “The admiral toured the harbor aboard the flagship.”

noun

The ship that carries a fleet commander and flies their flag.

"The admiral toured the harbor aboard the flagship."

The most important or best-known item in a group, especially a company's top product or a lead branch of an organization.

"The new phone is the flagship of their whole lineup."

"The London branch is the bank's flagship location."

How to Use Flagship

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe lead ship of a fleet, or by extension the best/main version of anything a company or group makes.

Common pairings

flagship product flagship store flagship model

Word Forms

flagshipped past tense, flagships plural, flagships singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “flagship” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The admiral toured the harbor aboard the _____.

Etymology

From flag + ship — literally the ship that flies the commander's flag.

Synonyms

View more →

lead product top-of-the-line model standard-bearer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “flagship” mean?

The word “flagship” means the ship that carries a fleet commander and flies their flag. In plain terms, the lead ship of a fleet, or by extension the best/main version of anything a company or group makes.

How do you pronounce “flagship”?

“Flagship” is pronounced FLAG-shihp (/ˈflæɡʃɪp/ in IPA).

How do you use “flagship” in a sentence?

Here is “flagship” used in a sentence: “The admiral toured the harbor aboard the flagship.”

What part of speech is “flagship”?

“Flagship” is a noun.

Is “flagship” a common word?

“Flagship” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “flagship” have?

“Flagship” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the ship that carries a fleet commander and flies their flag.

What is the difference between the literal and figurative meaning of flagship?

The literal meaning of flagship refers to the ship that carries a fleet commander and flies their flag, historically marking it as the lead vessel. The figurative meaning, much more common today, refers to the most important or best-known item in a group, such as a company's top product or its lead store or branch.

What does it mean to call a product a company's flagship?

Calling a product a company's flagship means it is the most important, prestigious, or best-known item in that company's lineup, often showcasing the brand's top technology or quality. For example, a smartphone maker's flagship model is usually its most advanced and expensive device.

Can flagship describe something other than a product?

Yes, flagship can also describe a lead branch, store, or program within an organization, meaning it is the most prominent or representative example, such as a company's flagship store in a major city.

Featured In

Vocabulary lists that include flagship:

Words That End With P