flag

1 of 6

noun (1)

ˈflag 

 also  ˈflāg

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

a

: iris

especially : a wild iris

b

: sweet flag

flag

2 of 6

noun (2)

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

flag

3 of 6

verb (1)

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

flag

4 of 6

verb (2)

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

flag

5 of 6

noun (3)

: a hard evenly stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving

also : a piece of such stone

flag

6 of 6

verb (3)

flagged; flagging

transitive verb

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

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• banderole
• banderol
• banner
• colors
• ensign
• guidon
• jack
• pendant [chiefly British]
• pendent
• pennant
• pennon
• standard
• streamer

Verb (1)

• beckon
• gesture
• motion
• signal
• wave

Verb (2)

• droop
• hang
• loll
• sag
• swag
• wilt

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

Noun

Through Grit, Spit, and Never Quit — whose cover sees a banged up Riggle posing side by side with a bald eagle, a tiny American flag tucked neatly behind his ear — the comedian hopes to not only inspire laughter, but also just flat-out inspire. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 21 May 2025

This comes after several recent on-board incidents including a flight attendant going viral on a Delta flight from Boston to West Palm Beach after being photographed wearing a Palestine flag pin. —Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 20 May 2025

Verb

The game went to overtime after some late controversy when Texas was not flagged for an apparent targeting penalty that would have extended an Arizona State possession. —David Ubben, New York Times, 22 May 2025

This should be able to flag up if something looks unusual, out of the ordinary. —Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English flagge reed, rush

Noun (2)

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

Verb (2)

probably from flag entry 2

Noun (3)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1604, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

1615, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing flag

• black flag
• blue flag
• blue flag iris
• capture the flag
• checkered flag
• false flag
• flag day
• flag football
• flag of convenience
• flag officer
• flag of truce
• flag rank
• flag stop
• flag-waver
• flag-waving
• raise the white flag
• red flag
• red flag law
• sweet flag
• took the checkered flag
• white flag

Rhymes for flag

• ag
• bag
• brag
• dag
• drag
• gag
• hag
• hagg
• lag
• mag
• nag
• rag

Kids Definition

flag

1 of 6 noun

ˈflag 

: any of various irises

especially : a wild iris

flag

2 of 6 noun

1

: 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

4 of 6 verb

flagged; flagging

1

: to be limp : droop

2

: to become weak

his hope flagged

flag

5 of 6 noun

1

: 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"