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
Camp McCoy received prisoners from Europe and Asia, including the first Japanese prisoner of war, an ensign who was captured at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
—
Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
The South Vietnamese flag flew high alongside ensigns for the Confederacy and MAGA and QAnon.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
June 5, 1946 Carter graduates from the U.S. Naval Academy and is assigned to the USS Wyoming as an ensign.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2024
The show, created and executive produced by Mike McMahan, stars Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells and Eugene Cordero as four low-ranking officers on the USS Cerritos, who were all promoted in Season 4 from ensigns to lieutenant (junior grade).
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ensign 
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Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
The South Vietnamese flag flew high alongside ensigns for the Confederacy and MAGA and QAnon.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
June 5, 1946 Carter graduates from the U.S. Naval Academy and is assigned to the USS Wyoming as an ensign.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2024
The show, created and executive produced by Mike McMahan, stars Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells and Eugene Cordero as four low-ranking officers on the USS Cerritos, who were all promoted in Season 4 from ensigns to lieutenant (junior grade).
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ensign
Dictionary Entries Near ensign
Cite this Entry
“Ensign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensign. Accessed 22 Nov. 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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