national flag
3
1.3
- noun
- /ˈnæʃənl flæɡ/
:
bandera nacional
- A huge national flag flew from a towering brass pole, looking very impressive when floodlit at night.
- national flag and anthem
- fly the national flag
Examples
-
In 1999, Japan finally gave official status to both its national anthem and its national flag, each of which predates World War II.
Academic text (2002) -
Even the Saudi Arabian national flag has a sword underneath its Arabic writing.
Blog text (17) -
Our brand is equivalent to our national flag; you have to protect it at all times.
Blog text (9) -
Note: the South African flag is the only national flag to display six colors as part of its primary design.
Blog text (7) -
The walls are covered with posters and bright national flags.
Fiction book (1998) -
Initially, Eritrea had considerable autonomy, including an elected Parliament, national flag, separate systems of justice and education, and free trade unions.
Academic text (1990) -
Among the visible symbols of Ethiopian identity that are embraced by young immigrants is the national flag, with its green, yellow, and red horizontal stripes.
Academic text (2003) -
National flags and crests are common on store awnings, and the colors of national flags are incorporated in the signage.
Academic text (2004) -
Around the world today, images and icons—from tattoos to national flags—are frequently brandished to assert social and political authority.
Academic text (1994) -
During the celebration, citizens proudly waved their national flag to show their patriotism.
Synonyms
848
1.0
A piece of cloth used as a symbol for a country or group
41
5.0
A flag used as a symbol for a country, army, or group
7
7.9
A flag flown on a ship to show its country
1
5.8
Flags and uniforms that show a group's identity and loyalty
How Official
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an official flag that represents a particular nation' is directly and compositionally derived from 'national' (relating to a country) + 'flag' (a piece of cloth flown as an emblem). This noun-noun combination follows a common, cross-linguistic compositional pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
National flag comes from old battle banners. A flag was a cloth with colours and symbols that soldiers and towns used to show which group they belonged to, so today a national flag 'represents' a whole country.