flag

noun \ ˈflag also ˈflāg \

Definition of flag

: any of various monocotyledonous plants with long ensiform leaves: such as

a : iris; especially : a wild iris

b : sweet flag

Origin and Etymology of flag

Middle English flagge reed, rush

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

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flag

noun, often attributive

Definition of flag

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

Origin and Etymology of flag

probably akin to fag end of cloth — more at fag end

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First Known Use: 1530

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Other Heraldry Terms

blazon, cachet, couchant, dormant, escutcheon, potent, standard, totem

flag

verb

Definition of flag

flagged; flagging

transitive verb

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

First Known Use of flag

1856

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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flag

verb

Definition of flag

flagged; flagging

intransitive verb

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

Origin and Etymology of flag

probably from ²flag

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First Known Use: 1545

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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flag

noun

Definition of flag

: a hard evenly stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving; also : a piece of such stone

Origin and Etymology of flag

Middle English flagge turf, perhaps from Old Norse flaga slab; akin to Old English flōh chip

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First Known Use: 1604

in the meaning defined above

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flag

verb

Definition of flag

flagged; flagging

transitive verb

: to lay (something, such as a pavement) with flags (see ⁵flag)

First Known Use of flag

1615

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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FLAG Defined for Kids

flag

noun \ ˈflag \

Definition of flag for Students

: a piece of cloth with a special design or color that is used as a symbol (as of a nation) or as a signal

flag

verb

Definition of flag for Students

flagged; flagging

: to signal to stop flag a taxi

flag

verb

Definition of flag for Students

flagged; flagging

: to become weak

He tried to use the flagging power of his memory …
—Lois Lowry, The Giver

Learn More about flag

See words that rhyme with flag Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flag Spanish Central: Translation of flag Nglish: Translation of flag for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flag for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flag

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flag

Definition of flag

Origin and Etymology of flag

flag

Definition of flag

Origin and Etymology of flag

Other Heraldry Terms

flag

Definition of flag

First Known Use of flag

flag

Definition of flag

Origin and Etymology of flag

flag

Definition of flag

Origin and Etymology of flag

flag

Definition of flag

First Known Use of flag

Phrases Related to FLAG

Related Phrases

FLAG Defined for Kids

flag

Definition of flag for Students

flag

Definition of flag for Students

flag

Definition of flag for Students

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