noun
ensign
EHN-sihn
noun
1
A flag, especially one flown by a ship to show its nationality.
"The ship flew the national ensign from its stern."
2
A badge or symbol of rank or office.
"The crown is an ensign of royal authority."
3
The lowest-ranking commissioned officer in the US Navy.
"He was commissioned as an ensign straight out of the naval academy."
How to Use Ensign
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flag showing nationality (especially on ships), or the rank badge/junior naval officer that shares the name.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
ensigned past tense, ensigns plural, ensigns singular
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The ship flew the national _____ from its stern.
Etymology
From Old French enseigne, from Latin insignia, meaning a mark or distinguishing sign. A doublet of "insignia."