flag Definition
- 1a piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution or as a decoration during public festivities.
- 2a small piece of cloth attached to a staff and used as a marker in various sports.
- 3a symbol or emblem representing a particular state, organization, or nationality.
Using flag: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "flag" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The American flag has fifty stars and thirteen stripes.
Example
The referee raised the flag to signal an offside.
Example
The United Nations flag features a world map surrounded by olive branches.
flag Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using flag
flag-waving
excessive or ostentatious display of patriotism
Example
His speech was full of flag-waving and nationalistic rhetoric.
Example
Her constant lateness was a red flag for her boss.
Example
After hours of negotiations, they finally raised the white flag and agreed to the terms.
Phrases with flag
to hoist or lower the flag on a flagpole, often as a sign of respect or mourning
Example
They raised the flag at dawn and lowered it at dusk.
the use of a foreign flag on a ship in order to register it in a country with less strict regulations or taxes
Example
Many shipping companies use flags of convenience to reduce costs.
Example
He flagged down a taxi and got in.
Origins of flag
from Old Norse 'flaga', meaning 'stone slab'
Summary: flag in Brief
A 'flag' [flæɡ] is a piece of cloth or similar material used as a symbol or emblem of a country, organization, or nationality. It can also be used as a marker in sports. Phrases like 'raise/lower the flag' and 'flag down' are common. Idioms like 'red flag' and 'white flag' denote warning signals and surrender, respectively.