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ensign

ensign

382 8.2
A junior officer in the navy or coast guard who holds the lowest officer rank
  • noun
  • /ˈɛn.sɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : alférez
  • The captain assigned the mission to Ensign Parker, the newest officer in the unit.
  • congratulations, Ensign
  • Ensign, change course
  • Ensign, warp two

Examples

Synonyms

officer
vsensign
77 3.1

A person with authority on a ship who leads a team or department

is a specific commissioned naval rank rather than a general ship role
military officer
vsensign
38 3.2

A person in charge of soldiers who gives orders and leads them

is restricted to the navy and is the lowest commissioned naval rank
naval officer
vsensign
16 3.7

A person who commands ships or sailors in a navy

is the particular lowest commissioned rank in the navy rather than higher navy ranks
6 6.0

A junior officer with the lowest rank in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps

is the equivalent naval lowest commissioned rank rather than an army or air rank
ship's officer
vsensign
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A person on a ship in charge of tasks and safety

is the navy's lowest commissioned rank rather than a general ship role
sublieutenant
vsensign
  • UK
1 9.6

A junior officer in the navy or other military force who ranks below a lieutenant

is the specifically named lowest US naval commissioned rank under lieutenant junior grade
commissioned naval officer
vsensign
  • Specialized
6.4

An officer in the navy with official rank and authority given by the government

is the specific lowest commissioned naval rank not just any commissioned officer

How Senior

admiral
106 5.4
captain
247 2.9
commander
  • Specialized
537 4.2
lieutenant
  • Specialized
614 5.8
lieutenant junior grade
  • Specialized
1 6.5
ensign
  • Specialized
382 8.2

Surface Forms

ensign singular
ensigns plural

Etymology

Ensign also became the name of a naval officer because that person once carried the ship's ensign, in other words they were a 'flag-bearer'. That's why an ensign today is the navy's lowest officer rank.