Ensign
'ɛn.saɪn
Definitions
2 meaningsA commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Coast Guard, ranking below a lieutenant junior grade.
'ɛn.saɪn
A junior officer in the navy or the US Coast Guard.
The ensign was responsible for navigation during the voyage.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're in the navy. An ensign is like the first step on the officer ladder. They're like the rookies in the leadership team. Think of it like being a team leader in a game, but in the real world, it involves things like commanding a small boat or a part of a ship.
👶 For kids: An ensign is a young officer in the Navy.
More Examples
The graduating class included many aspiring ensigns.
The Captain assigned the ensign to a special project.
How It's Used
"The new ensign received his first command."
A flag or banner, especially a national flag flown by a ship or regiment.
'ɛn.saɪn
A flag or banner, especially a national flag.
The ship's ensign fluttered in the wind.
💡 Simply: Think of it like a team's flag. It's a colorful cloth that shows everyone which team you're on. Or, in this case, which country a ship belongs to. So when a ship sails into a port, the ensign shows everyone where the ship is from, just like a school flag on a school building.
👶 For kids: An ensign is a flag.
More Examples
They saluted the ensign as it was raised.
The captured enemy ensign was a significant trophy of war.
How It's Used
"The ship's ensign was raised at sunrise."
Idioms & expressions
ensign bearer
The person responsible for carrying the flag.
"The ensign bearer led the parade."
From Old French enseigne, ultimately from Latin insignia, meaning 'badges' or 'symbols'.
Historically used for the lowest rank of commissioned officers in navies and for flags representing a nation or ship.
Memory tip
Think of 'en-sign' as a sign of early rank and authority.
Word Origin
"'badge' or 'symbol'"