plural banners
1
a
: a large strip of cloth with a design, picture, or writing on it
A banner was hung over the street advertising the local theater production.
Banners were carried by members of each group marching in the parade.
—often used figurativelyBoth candidates are running under the banner of "no new taxes." [=both candidates are using "no new taxes" as a slogan]
a group of scientists gathering together under the banner of NASA [=in a meeting/event set up by NASA]
changes made under the banner of "restoring order" [=for the officially stated purpose of restoring order]
b
literary
: flag
The Star-Spangled Banner
2
: words printed in large letters at the top of a newspaper's front page under the name of the newspaper
called also banner headline
3
: an advertisement that is across the top of a page on the World Wide Web
called also banner ad
always used before a noun
US
: unusually good
It was a banner year for the sales department.
The team had a banner season last year.
Cite this Entry
“Banner.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/banner. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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