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
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
Othello star Jake Gyllenhaal’s backstage home-away-from-home in Broadway’s Barrymore theater is an extension of the Shakespearean world he’s been steeped in while developing his version of Iago, the duplicitous ensign to the titular Venetian army general played by Denzel Washington.
—
Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2025
Othello star Jake Gyllenhaal’s backstage home-away-from-home in Broadway’s Barrymore theater is an extension of the Shakespearean world he’s been steeped in while developing his version of Iago, the duplicitous ensign to the titular Venetian army general played by Denzel Washington.
—Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2025
Usually the obscure one is Othello’s ensign, Iago.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
The Shakespearian plot revolves around Othello as a military commander who is convinced that his wife has been unfaithful by his ensign, Iago.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ensign
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2025
Othello star Jake Gyllenhaal’s backstage home-away-from-home in Broadway’s Barrymore theater is an extension of the Shakespearean world he’s been steeped in while developing his version of Iago, the duplicitous ensign to the titular Venetian army general played by Denzel Washington.
—Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2025
Usually the obscure one is Othello’s ensign, Iago.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
The Shakespearian plot revolves around Othello as a military commander who is convinced that his wife has been unfaithful by his ensign, Iago.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ensign
Cite this Entry
“Ensign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensign. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share