rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryensignNaval officer
noun

ensign

EN-sun/ˈensən/

A commissioned naval officer below lieutenant junior grade.

The ensign reports to the lieutenant before taking the watch.

On a U.S. naval ship, a young commissioned officer with one plain gold bar on each shoulder receives directions from a senior officer while enlisted sailors stand nearby; the junior officer is the focus.
Etymology
enLatinin
+signLatinidentifying mark, sign

The identifying mark became a badge of authority or a military flag. Ensign then named the soldier carrying that flag, and later a junior commissioned naval officer.

In context

The University of Texas at Austin presenter1:14
I'm an Ensign in the United States Navy and a recent graduate of the University of Texas Naval ROTC.
Campaign for Texas: Impact on the World
Chris Johnson0:19
I'll commission as an ensign in the Navy
What’s Next for UVA’s Class of 2025?

More examples

  • Two new ensigns joined the ship.
  • She received her commission as an ensign.
  • The ensign checked the signal equipment.

Forms

ensign · ensigns