black flag

noun

1. a pirate flag, usually of black cloth with a white skull and crossbones on it; Jolly Roger.
2. a flag having two yellow and two black squares, signifying the letter L in the International Code of Signals: formerly so called when used by itself to indicate the presence of cholera on board a vessel.
3. a signal given to an automobile racing driver to stop, usually because the car may have a dangerous problem that requires inspection.

black flag

noun

1. another name for the Jolly Roger

Word History and Origins

Origin of black flag¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

He used some of the captives as human shields and forced others to hold a black flag with white Arabic writing against the window.

From The Daily Beast

Now everyone says, “Oh, Black Flag and the Ramones were great, and slavery was terrible.”

From The Daily Beast

Now al-Qaeda has come back in Iraq, raising its black flag over territory once fought over so hard by Americans.

From The Daily Beast

In the beginning, they hung their black flag outside the clinic to show their power.

From The Daily Beast

At Bracto, a Mexican commander with a superior force sent a black flag demanding his surrender.

From Project Gutenberg

The black flag of the buccaneers of reconstruction marked not with death's heads but by red stars!

From Project Gutenberg

The black flag is up, and no doubt she means mischief; but all is fair and above board.

From Project Gutenberg

As to the black flag, that is merely a joke that my fellows play off upon people sometimes in order to frighten them.

From Project Gutenberg

Cyrus Harding had not seen the suspected vessel hoist the black flag without deep anxiety.

From Project Gutenberg