flagship

[ flag-ship ]

noun

1. a ship carrying the flag officer or the commander of a fleet, squadron, or the like, and displaying the officer's flag.
2. the main vessel of a shipping company.
3. any of the best or largest ships or airplanes operated by a passenger line.
4. the best or most important one of a group or system:

   This store is the flagship of our retail chain.

adjective

1. being or constituting a flagship.

flagship

/ ˈflæɡˌʃɪp /

noun

1. a ship, esp in a fleet, aboard which the commander of the fleet is quartered
2. the most important ship belonging to a shipping company
3. a single item from a related group considered as the most important, often in establishing a public image

   the nine o'clock news is the flagship of the BBC

Word History and Origins

Origin of flagship¹

First recorded in 1665–75; flag ¹ + ship ¹

Example Sentences

Starting Jan. 14, Melvin will take Kotb’s chair alongside Savannah Guthrie during the program’s flagship two hours from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times

The Scottish government is again delaying its flagship plans for a National Care Service - but denies reports that the policy has been dropped.

From BBC

The BBC has confirmed that Match of the Day host Gary Lineker is to step down from the flagship football show at the end of this season, but will host BBC Sport’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

From BBC

With a decades-long career in law enforcement and at the border, all eyes will be on how he plans to cut down on illegal immigration into the US - a flagship policy of Trump's election campaign.

From BBC

But she is best-known in front of the camera as part of the presenting roster for Sky Sports' Premier League coverage - including its flagship Super Sunday programme.

From BBC

Related Words

• bellwether
• crown jewel