HOW TO PRONOUNCE
ensign
/ˈɛnsən/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:49
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What does ensign mean?
noun
- A badge of office, rank, or power.
- The lowest grade of commissioned officer in the United States Navy, junior to a lieutenant junior grade.
- A flag or banner carried by military units; a standard or color/colour.
More meanings (11)
noun
- The principal flag or banner flown by a ship (usually at the stern) to indicate nationality.
- Any prominent flag or banner.
- (historical) A junior commissioned officer in the 18th and 19th centuries whose duty was to carry the unit's ensign.
verb
- To distinguish by a mark or ornament.
- To distinguish by an ornament, especially by a crown.
- (obsolete) To designate as by an ensign.
proper noun
- A surname.
- A hamlet in Vulcan County, Alberta, Canada.
- A minor city in Gray County, Kansas, United States, named after founder G. L. Ensign.
- A township in Delta County, Michigan, United States.
- The official magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈɛnsən/
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
As she drew round, she showed the broadside of a full-rigged brig, with the Yankee ensign at her peak.
The Russian ensign was therefore committed to one of the sailors, who took his station at the stern of the boat.
More book examples (3)
Over these floated the sacred standard, called “Le Beau-seant”, which was the ensign, as its name was the battle-cry, of the Templars.
Seeing no hope of any longer making a defence, Buford sent Ensign Cruitt with a flag of truce, and grounded his arms.
Among the number who paid their devotions at her shrine, she singled one, a young Ensign of mean birth, indifferent education, and weak intellects.