reflag

American  

[ree-flag] / riˈflæg /

verb (used with object)

reflagged, reflagging

1. to register (a foreign ship) so that it flies the flag of the registering nation and thereby comes under the latter's protection.

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Etymology

Origin of reflag

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

It said: "The ship, initially flying a false flag, turned off its transponders while at sea and sought to reflag while being pursued."

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

Cooper said authorities had no current plans to reflag ships and escort them past Yemen.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 2024

“It’s like being without a passport,” Watts said, adding that no state may reflag the ship without violating the sanctions regime.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2023

“The North Koreans will take measures to rename and reflag these vessels,” said Farley Mesko, chief executive of Sayari Analytics, a Washington-based financial intelligence company that tracks illicit trade with North Korea.

From Washington Post • Mar. 2, 2018

Once that was achieved, the U.S. could further bind its allies to its side by avoiding unilateral actions, such as its solitary decision to reflag Kuwait's tankers.

From Time Magazine Archive