: 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
threw a penalty flag
see alsored flag, white flag
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 the 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
—often used with down
flagged the train
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
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
Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Apr. 2026 The Donnyland plan had some effort behind it, with a Ukrainian negotiator reportedly going so far as to design a green-and-gold flag for the entity and creating its own national anthem with ChatGPT. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 The drug is being studied for its applications with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and addiction, but cardiac risks flagged by Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse remain a major barrier. —Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flag
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Georgia Tech baseball planted its flag in the heart of the state Tuesday night, run-ruling Georgia 14-4 at Truist Park. —Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Apr. 2026 The Donnyland plan had some effort behind it, with a Ukrainian negotiator reportedly going so far as to design a green-and-gold flag for the entity and creating its own national anthem with ChatGPT. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
Some exchanges may be able to flag the receiving wallet and help investigators track suspicious activity. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 The drug is being studied for its applications with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and addiction, but cardiac risks flagged by Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse remain a major barrier. —Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flag
Cite this Entry
“Flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/flag. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flag
1 of 6 noun
: any of various irises
especially : a wild iris
flag
2 of 6 noun
1
: 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 noun
1
: 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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