: any of various monocotyledonous plants with long ensiform leaves: such as
a
: iris
especially
: a wild iris
b
often attributive
1
: a usually rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol (as of a nation), as a signaling device, or as a decoration
2
a
: the tail of some dogs (such as a setter or hound)
also
: the long hair fringing a dog's tail
b
: the tail of a deer
3
a
: something used like a flag to signal or attract attention
b
: one of the cross strokes of a musical note less than a quarter note in value
4
: something represented by a flag: such as
a
: flagship
b
: an admiral functioning in his office of command
c
: nationality
especially
: the nationality of registration of a ship or aircraft
flagged; flagging
1
: to signal with or as if with a flag
especially
: to signal to stop
flagged the train
—often used with down
2
: to mark or identify with or as if with a flag
flagged potential problems in the proposal
3
: to call a penalty on : penalize
a lineman flagged for being offside
flagged; flagging
1
: to hang loose without stiffness
2
a
: to become unsteady, feeble, or spiritless
b
: to decline in interest, attraction, or value
flagging stock prices
: a hard evenly stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving
also
: a piece of such stone
Synonyms
Examples of flag in a Sentence
Noun (2)
the flags of both countries were prominently displayed at the treaty signing
road crews using handheld stop signs as flags at both ends of the highway construction zone
Verb (1)
flagged the cars into the other parking lot
Verb (2)
flowers flagging in the summer heat
we flagged as we neared the end of the long mountain trail
Recent Examples on the Web
Peter Guo, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
Yeah, Nikola Jokic carried the flag, the way only a generational MVP can, with 27 points, 15 rebounds and 14.3 assists per game.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024
Jen Chaney, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Hundreds of 2,500 voter registration forms flagged as suspicious were found to be fraudulent, an official from Pennsylvania's Lancaster County confirmed on Monday.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flag 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The crowd moved slowly because of its size, with some cyclists carrying the Chinese flag and some people sleeping on the ground in a park after arriving in Kaifeng, according to photos and videos shared with NBC News.
—Peter Guo, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
Yeah, Nikola Jokic carried the flag, the way only a generational MVP can, with 27 points, 15 rebounds and 14.3 assists per game.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
Our siblings at the Strategist are flagging that Kornacki’s khakis — Korkhakhis? — are currently on sale at the Gap.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Hundreds of 2,500 voter registration forms flagged as suspicious were found to be fraudulent, an official from Pennsylvania's Lancaster County confirmed on Monday.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flag
Dictionary Entries Near flag
Cite this Entry
“Flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flag. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flag
1 of 6 noun
: any of various irises
especially
: a wild iris
flag
2 of 6 noun1
: a piece of cloth with a special design that is used as a symbol (as of a nation) or for signaling
2
: something used like a flag to signal or attract attention
flag
3 of 6 verb
flagged; flagging
: to signal with or as if with a flag
especially
: to signal to stop
flag a taxi
flag
5 of 6 noun1
: a hard stone that easily splits into flat pieces
2
: a piece of flag used for paving
flag
6 of 6 verb
flagged; flagging
: to pave (as a walk) with flags
Etymology
Noun
Middle English flagge "reed"
Noun
probably akin to fag "end of cloth"
Verb
probably from 2flag
Noun
Middle English flagge "a piece of turf, a flat paving stone"
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