flag

noun, verb

1 a piece of fabric with a special coloured design on it that may be the symbol of a particular country or organization, or may have a particular meaning. A flag can be attached to a pole or held in the hand: the Italian flag * the flag of Italy * The hotel flies the American flag when it has guests from the US. * The American flag was flying. * All the flags were at half mast (= in honour of a famous person who has died). * The black and white flag went down, and the race began. 2 used to refer to a particular country or organization and its beliefs and values: to swear allegiance to the flag * He was working under the flag of the United Nations. 3 a piece of fabric that is attached to a pole and used as a signal or MARKER in various sports 4 a flower that is a type of IRIS and that grows near water: yellow flags 5 = FLAGSTONE IDIOMS fly / show / wave the flag to show your support for your country, an organization or an idea to encourage or persuade others to do the same keep the flag flying to represent your country or organization: Our exporters keep the flag flying at international trade exhibitions. verb (-gg-) 1 [VN] to put a special mark next to information that you think is important: I've flagged the paragraphs that we need to look at in more detail. 2 [V] to become tired, weaker or less enthusiastic: It had been a long day and the children were beginning to flag. * Her confidence never flagged. * flagging support / enthusiasm PHRASALVERBS flag sb/sth<->down to signal to the driver of a vehicle to stop by waving at them: She flagged down a passing motorist.