white ensign

noun

1. the British naval ensign, consisting of the red cross of St. George on a white field, with the British union occupying the upper quarter along the hoist.

White Ensign

noun

1. the ensign of the Royal Navy and the Royal Yacht Squadron, having a red cross on a white background with the Union Jack at the upper corner of the vertical edge alongside the hoist Compare Red Ensign Blue Ensign

Word History and Origins

Origin of white ensign¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

He was a Flag Officer and went without food or drink for the whole day as he held the naval white ensign.

From BBC

He was believed to have been the last surviving British marine to see the Royal Navy’s white ensign raised over Sword Beach as allied forces advanced.

From Seattle Times

The Royal Navy spokesman added the British White ensign, which is only used on UK warships, "cannot be defaced because it's a symbol of the legal status of a vessel as a warship".

From BBC

The decommissioning ceremony ended with the Royal Navy White Ensign being symbolically hauled down from the ship's main mast.

From BBC

The white ensign was raised to mark the moment HMS Queen Elizabeth was officially added to the Royal Navy’s fleet.

From Seattle Times