: 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
Recent Examples on the Web
Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
At one point, protesters also dropped a Palestinian flag out of one of the Washington Hilton’s windows.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2024
Pro-Israeli supporters wave their flags near an encampment set up by pro-Palestinian protesters on the campus of UCLA.
—Wally Skalij, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
The basics of flag Flag football is more about finesse and speed than brawn.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 26 Apr. 2024
Tony Thurmond, California’s current superintendent of public instruction, announced at the hearing of the Senate Education Committee that schools will be flying their flags at half staff in her honor.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 25 Apr. 2024
Adam’s car has a Palestinian flag on the dashboard.
—Nada Rashwan Amir Hamja, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
The American flag on its boots is a selling point for consumers, and the union shop status appeals to the skilled trades.
—Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2024
There were eight Palestinian flags flying from poles and a tree branch around the square with various banners and signs bearing messages in support of Palestinians.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024
TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
There is a host of reasons why a cop flagged her down, including speeding, obvio.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024
But emails obtained by The Times show the issue was flagged for the county five years earlier.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors flagged another after discovering a possible decades-old arrest that hadn't been disclosed during jury selection.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2024
TikTok has since taken down the videos flagged by researchers.
—USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
At the same time, UPS has turned to artificial intelligence to recommend delivery options to retailers if an address is flagged as being in an area where package theft is prevalent.
—Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024
Amazon, however, does not appear to make such a public warning to its users in either its Help Center or on product pages for popular cosmetics with active ingredients that dermatologists have flagged for their potential harm to children.
—Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
On Amazon, one product intended to relieve breast pain from health issues such as mastitis was flagged as inappropriate because the packaging showed an illustration of a breast, according to Hirschhorn.
—Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
Noun
The claim: Image shows 'rape is resistance' flyer distributed at Columbia protest
An April 22 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows a person holding a flyer that includes text set against the Palestinian flag.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
At one point, protesters also dropped a Palestinian flag out of one of the Washington Hilton’s windows.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2024
Pro-Israeli supporters wave their flags near an encampment set up by pro-Palestinian protesters on the campus of UCLA.
—Wally Skalij, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
The basics of flag Flag football is more about finesse and speed than brawn.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 26 Apr. 2024
Tony Thurmond, California’s current superintendent of public instruction, announced at the hearing of the Senate Education Committee that schools will be flying their flags at half staff in her honor.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 25 Apr. 2024
Adam’s car has a Palestinian flag on the dashboard.
—Nada Rashwan Amir Hamja, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
The American flag on its boots is a selling point for consumers, and the union shop status appeals to the skilled trades.
—Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2024
There were eight Palestinian flags flying from poles and a tree branch around the square with various banners and signs bearing messages in support of Palestinians.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024
Verb
His communications office flagged the manipulated content earlier this week, and said there’s no such directive from the president.
—TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
There is a host of reasons why a cop flagged her down, including speeding, obvio.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024
But emails obtained by The Times show the issue was flagged for the county five years earlier.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors flagged another after discovering a possible decades-old arrest that hadn't been disclosed during jury selection.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2024
TikTok has since taken down the videos flagged by researchers.
—USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
At the same time, UPS has turned to artificial intelligence to recommend delivery options to retailers if an address is flagged as being in an area where package theft is prevalent.
—Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024
Amazon, however, does not appear to make such a public warning to its users in either its Help Center or on product pages for popular cosmetics with active ingredients that dermatologists have flagged for their potential harm to children.
—Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
On Amazon, one product intended to relieve breast pain from health issues such as mastitis was flagged as inappropriate because the packaging showed an illustration of a breast, according to Hirschhorn.
—Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flag.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flag
Cite this Entry
“Flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flag. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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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