a piece of cloth, varying in size, shape, color, and design, usually attached at one edge to a staff or cord, and used as the symbol of a nation, state, or organization, as a means of signaling, etc.; ensign; standard; banner; pennant.
Ornithology. the tuft of long feathers on the legs of falcons and most hawks; the lengthened feathers on the crus or tibia.
Hunting. the tail of a deer or of a setter dog.
Journalism.
the nameplate of a newspaper.
masthead (def. 1).
the name of a newspaper as printed on the editorial page.
a tab or tag attached to a page, file card, etc., to mark it for attention.
Music. hook1 (def. 12a).
Movies, Television. a small gobo.
Usually flags . the ends of the bristles of a brush, especially a paintbrush, when split.
Computers. a symbol, value, or other means of identifying data of interest, or of informing later parts of a program what conditions earlier parts have encountered.
verb (used with object),flagged,flag·ging.
to place a flag or flags over or on; decorate with flags.
to signal or warn (a person, automobile, etc.) with or as if with a flag (sometimes followed by down): to flag a taxi; to flag down a passing car.
to communicate (information) by or as if by a flag.
to decoy, as game, by waving a flag or the like to excite attention or curiosity.
to mark (a page in a book, file card, etc.) for attention, as by attaching protruding tabs.
(of a brush) to split the ends of the bristles.
Idioms for flag
strike the flag,
to relinquish command, as of a ship.
to submit or surrender: His financial situation is growing worse, but he's not ready to strike the flag.
Also strike one's flag.
Origin of flag
1
First recorded in 1475–85; perhaps blend of flap (noun) and fag1 (noun) in obsolete sense “flap”
OTHER WORDS FROM flag
flagger,nounflagless,adjective
Words nearby flag
flabellum, flaccid, flack, flackery, flacon, flag, flag captain, flag day, flag down, flagellant, flagellar
Definition for flag (2 of 4)
flag2
[ flag ]
/ flæg /
noun
any of various plants with long, sword-shaped leaves, as the sweet flag.
blue flag.
the long, slender leaf of such a plant or of a cereal.
Origin of flag
2
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English flagge
Definition for flag (3 of 4)
flag3
[ flag ]
/ flæg /
verb (used without object),flagged,flag·ging.
to fall off in vigor, energy, activity, interest, etc.: Public enthusiasm flagged when the team kept losing.
to hang loosely or limply; droop.
Origin of flag
3
First recorded in 1535–45; perhaps blend of of flap (verb) and fag1 (verb) in obsolete sense “to droop”. See flag1
SYNONYMS FOR flag
1 dwindle, wilt, slump, sag, wane.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR flag ON THESAURUS.COM
Definition for flag (4 of 4)
flag4
[ flag ]
/ flæg /
noun
flagstone (def. 1).
flags,flagstone (def. 2).
verb (used with object),flagged,flag·ging.
to pave with flagstones.
Origin of flag
4
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English flagge “piece of sod”; akin to Old Norse flaga “slab”
Let’s say your site was flagged by Google search as having a security issue, be it malware or maybe your site appeared to be hacked.
Google tests reporting security issue false positives in Search Console|Barry Schwartz|August 26, 2020|Search Engine Land
Amid a flagging economy — Pennsylvania was 47th in job creation under his watch — Corbett became in 2014 the first incumbent Pennsylvania governor to lose reelection since 1854.
The Candy Magnate Fueling Trump in Pennsylvania|Nick Fouriezos|August 23, 2020|Ozy
However, once an account has been flagged as a close relation to a user, it doesn’t stay in the top place for long.
How to optimize for the Instagram algorithm in 2020|Julia Miashkova|August 19, 2020|Search Engine Watch
That day, a prominent march was planned at the historic Red Fort, where India’s prime minister traditionally hoists the flag on Independence Day.
How India became the world’s leader in internet shutdowns|Katie McLean|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Melnyk said police on Friday arrested a protester who hung a rainbow flag on the gates of Poland’s Justice Ministry.
Beyond the huge American flag that hung over the street, the mile-long mass of cops ended.
Funeral Protest Is Too Much for NYPD Union Boss|Michael Daly|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
One of the honor guard approached with slow, measured steps and presented the flag to a uniformed captain.
Choking Back Tears, Thousands of Cops Honor Fallen Officer Ramos|Michael Daly|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On his Instagram account (which has since been taken down), Brinsley made one reference to burning an American flag.
Alleged Cop Killer Ismaaiyl Brinsley Had a Death Wish|M.L. Nestel|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Somebody had hung an American flag and people of the neighborhood had placed bouquets and candles.
'Please Don't Die!': The Frantic Battle to Save Murdered Cops|Michael Daly|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Reid planted a flag, ready to make his mark in the world of whisky, backed by ambition and a gorgeous piece of land.
Ester Elchies, The Estate Built By Whiskey||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They brought with them from the old colonies their educational traditions and their devotion to the flag of the Empire.
Ryerson Memorial Volume|J. George Hodgins
He has been tried as a spy, condemned as a spy, and shall be executed as a spy, and the flag is ordered to depart immediately.
Elsie and Her Loved Ones|Martha Finley
They were to fly the American flag; that, too, should mean a subsidy.
The President|Alfred Henry Lewis
The race ends when the flag returns to the leader, who waves the same above his head, indicating the close of the race.
School, Church, and Home Games|George O. Draper
The cause which the flag stands for may be foolish and fleeting; the love may be calf-love, and last for a week.
A Chesterton Calendar|G. K. Chesterton
British Dictionary definitions for flag (1 of 4)
flag1
/ (flæɡ) /
noun
a piece of cloth, esp bunting, often attached to a pole or staff, decorated with a design and used as an emblem, symbol, or standard or as a means of signalling
a small paper flag, emblem, or sticker sold on flag days
computingan indicator, that may be set or unset, used to indicate a condition or to stimulate a particular reaction in the execution of a computer program
informal short for flag officer, flagship
journalism another name for masthead (def. 2)
the fringe of long hair, tapering towards the tip, on the underside of the tail of certain breeds of dog, such as setters
the conspicuously marked tail of a deer
a less common name for bookmark
Australian and NZthe part of a taximeter that is raised when a taxi is for hire
the pennant-shaped pattern that is formed when a price fluctuation is plotted on a chart, interrupting the steady rise or fall that precedes and then follows it
the flag(in Victoria, Australia) the Australian Rules premiership
fly the flagto represent or show support for one's country, an organization, etc
show the flag
to assert a claim, as to a territory or stretch of water, by military presence
informalto be present; make an appearance
strike the flagorlower the flag
to relinquish command, esp of a ship
to submit or surrender
verbflags, flaggingorflagged(tr)
to decorate or mark with a flag or flags
(often foll by down)to warn or signal (a vehicle) to stop
to send or communicate (messages, information, etc) by flag
to decoy (game or wild animals) by waving a flag or similar object so as to attract their attention
to mark (a page in a book, card, etc) for attention by attaching a small tab or flag
mainlyAustralianto draw attention to (something)
(foll by away or by) NZto consider unimportant; brush aside
See also flag out, flags, flag up
Derived forms of flag
flagger, nounflagless, adjective
Word Origin for flag
C16: of uncertain origin
British Dictionary definitions for flag (2 of 4)
flag2
/ (flæɡ) /
verbflags, flaggingorflagged(intr)
to hang down; become limp; droop
to decline in strength or vigour; become weak or tired
Word Origin for flag
C16: of unknown origin
British Dictionary definitions for flag (3 of 4)
flag3
/ (flæɡ) /
noun
any of various plants that have long swordlike leaves, esp the iris Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag)