ensign

noun

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en·sign | \ ˈen(t)-sən

also ˈen-ˌsīn for senses 1, 2, & 3a

Definition of ensign

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

2a : a badge of office, rank, or power

b : emblem, sign

3a : 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 Example Sentences Learn More About ensign

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 He was commissioned an ensign in 1963, and served aboard the USS Constellation as a nuclear weapons officer. — Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2022 Melvin washes out, whereas Connell would become an ensign and train new recruits in New Orleans. — Gemma Sieff, Harper’s Magazine , 4 Jan. 2022 After initially saying Kazuo was dead, the navy sent a higher-ranking officer to confide that the ensign was missing. — Chieko Tsuneoka, WSJ, 7 Dec. 2021 Cervantes could have made the ensign read the manuscript aloud to the licentiate. — Phil Klay, Harper's Magazine, 23 Nov. 2021 On Friday, the day after Veterans Day, Ouellette will graduate top of her class from the U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, as an ensign. — Lori Riley, courant.com, 10 Nov. 2021 In June 1954, Rumsfeld graduated and was commissioned an ensign in the Navy. — Robert Burns, ajc, 1 July 2021 In June 1954, Rumsfeld graduated and was commissioned an ensign in the Navy. — Robert Burns, ajc, 1 July 2021 In June 1954, Rumsfeld graduated and was commissioned an ensign in the Navy. — Robert Burns, ajc, 1 July 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ensign.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.