blue peter

noun

blue pe·​ter ˈblü-ˈpē-tər How to pronounce blue peter (audio)
: a blue signal flag with a white square in the center used to indicate that a merchant vessel is ready to sail

Word History

Etymology

probably from the name Peter

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blue peter was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near blue peter

Cite this Entry

“Blue peter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20peter. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on blue peter

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!