ensign

/ˈensən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈensən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈen(t)-sən also ˈen-ˌsīn for senses 1, 2, & 3a/ (ame, mw)

1.名詞B2

釋義

a flag bearing a country's colours or symbol, flown from the back of a ship so that others at sea can tell which nation the vessel comes from

例句

The old cargo ship flew a faded Canadian ensign from its stern.

collocation: fly an ensign

Captain Amara ordered the crew to raise the Nigerian ensign before entering the port.

collocation: raise the ensign

同義詞

flag
the general word for any cloth with a design that represents a country or group
banner
often used for ceremonial or decorative flags carried on land, not at sea
standard
a flag used as a military or royal symbol, more historical in tone

An ensign is specifically a flag flown at sea; on land the same piece of cloth is simply called a flag.

❌The embassy flew the national ensign.

✅The embassy flew the national flag.

💡an ensign belongs on a ship; a flag on a building is just a flag.

2.名詞B2

釋義

the lowest officer rank in the United States Navy, or in past times the most junior commissioned grade in the British Army

例句

Kwame graduated from the naval academy and received his commission as an ensign.

collocation: commission as an ensign

Ensign Ingrid reported for duty aboard the aircraft carrier at six in the morning.

In the modern US Navy, ensign is the first commissioned rank after completing officer training. In the British Army the rank is now historical.

❌He was promoted from ensign to captain.

✅He was promoted from ensign to lieutenant junior grade.

💡in the US Navy, the next rank after ensign is lieutenant junior grade, not captain.

ensign — noun