Definition

1. Noun:
   • The ship that carries the commander of a fleet and displays their flag: In a naval fleet, the "flagship" is the vessel from which the commanding officer, typically an admiral, exercises command. It is distinguished by flying a special flag.
   • The most important or leading product, service, or entity within a group: "Flagship" metaphorically refers to the preeminent, most prominent, or highest-quality item in a related series or organization, often representing the best of what that group offers.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Naval):

  • The admiral transferred his command to the new flagship.
  • The fleet's flagship was easily identifiable by the special pennant it flew.

• Noun (Metaphorical):

  • This downtown store is the company's flagship, showcasing their entire product range.
  • The university's flagship campus is known for its cutting-edge research.

Advanced Usage

• "Flagship" as an adjective: Often used attributively to describe the leading or most important example of something.
  • They opened a new flagship store on Fifth Avenue.
  • The company launched its flagship smartphone model with great fanfare.

Variants and Related Words

• Flag officer (n): A naval officer, such as an admiral, entitled to fly a flag to indicate their rank and command.
• Flagship species (n): In conservation, a species chosen to raise support for biodiversity conservation in a given place or social context.

Synonyms

• Lead ship: The foremost ship in a fleet or series.
• Premier: First in importance, order, or position.
• Showpiece: An outstanding example used for exhibition.

Related Phrases

• Flagship product/program/store: The most important product, program, or retail location of a company or institution.
  • The environmental initiative became the foundation's flagship program.
  • Investors are closely watching the performance of the flagship product.

Idioms

• To be the flagship of: To serve as the best or most representative example of a group or category.
  • This historic theater is considered the flagship of the city's arts district.

Noun

1. the ship that carries the commander of a fleet and flies his flag
2. the chief one of a related group
   • it is their flagship newspaper