flag officer

noun

: any of the officers in the navy or coast guard above captain compare general officer

Examples of flag officer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Last week, general and flag officers at the one-star level and above were told to fly to Quantico from their duty stations with just several days' notice and no hint as to what the meeting might be about. Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025 More than 800 generals and flag officers are stationed across the globe, although not all are expected to attend. Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2025 The summons impacted general and flag officers stationed across the world, or soldiers with one-star rank or higher. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025 In that May memo, Hegseth said there would also be a minimum 20% reduction in the number of general officers in the National Guard and an additional 10% reduction among general and flag officers across the military. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flag officer

Word History

Etymology

from such officers being entitled to display a flag with one or more stars indicating rank

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flag officer was in 1665

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flag officer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flag%20officer. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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