: any of various monocotyledonous plants with long ensiform leaves: such as
a
: iris
especially
: a wild iris
b
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
flagged; flagging
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
flagged; flagging
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
: a hard evenly stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving
also
: a piece of such stone
Synonyms
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
Ty Gaskins, WWD, 9 Jan. 2025
An occasional scything wind flapped the flags flying at half-staff.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Paul Wiseman The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Phos-Chek doesn't include any substances flagged by California's Proposition 65 list of materials that are known to cause cancer and other harms, according to its maker.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for flag 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
President Joe Biden issued a proclamation declaring Jan. 9 a national day of mourning and ordering flags to half-staff for 30 days.
—Ty Gaskins, WWD, 9 Jan. 2025
An occasional scything wind flapped the flags flying at half-staff.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
The Fed cut its rate three times last year in part out of concern that hiring and growth were flagging.
—Paul Wiseman The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Phos-Chek doesn't include any substances flagged by California's Proposition 65 list of materials that are known to cause cancer and other harms, according to its maker.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for flag
Dictionary Entries Near flag
Cite this Entry
“Flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flag. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flag
1 of 6 noun
: any of various irises
especially
: a wild iris
flag
2 of 6 noun1
: 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
5 of 6 noun1
: 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"
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