ensign
noun
en·sign
ˈen(t)-sən 
also for senses 1, 2, & 3a
ˈen-ˌsīn
1
: a flag that is flown (as by a ship) as the symbol of nationality and that may also be flown with a distinctive badge added to its design
3
a
: an infantry officer of what was formerly the lowest commissioned rank
b
: a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a chief warrant officer and below a lieutenant junior grade
Examples of ensign in a Sentence
that ensign of tutorial authority, the hickory stick
fittingly, the organization promoting the welfare of marine life features a dolphin on its ensign
Recent Examples on the Web
Does lust play any part in the ensign’s envy of the handsome lieutenant, who is also, in Burnap’s performance, so boyishly sympathetic?
—
Jesse Green, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
The Shakespearian plot revolves around Othello as a military commander who is convinced that his wife has been unfaithful by his ensign, Iago.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
Four sailors who put the tracking devices aboard the boats were also named in the indictment, as was a sergeant and an ensign, or low-ranking officer.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
In their intensively competitive family, Jack wanted to keep up with his older brother, Joseph Kennedy Jr., who left Harvard Law School in June 1941 and was commissioned an ensign the following year.
—Steven Gillon / Made By History, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ensign
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Jesse Green, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
The Shakespearian plot revolves around Othello as a military commander who is convinced that his wife has been unfaithful by his ensign, Iago.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
Four sailors who put the tracking devices aboard the boats were also named in the indictment, as was a sergeant and an ensign, or low-ranking officer.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
In their intensively competitive family, Jack wanted to keep up with his older brother, Joseph Kennedy Jr., who left Harvard Law School in June 1941 and was commissioned an ensign the following year.
—Steven Gillon / Made By History, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ensign
Cite this Entry
“Ensign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensign. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ensign
noun
en·sign
ˈen(t)-sən
in senses 1 & 2 also
ˈen-ˌsīn
1
: a flag flown as the symbol of nationality (as on a ship)
2
: a badge of office, rank, or power
3
: a naval commissioned officer of the lowest rank
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