Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tall pole or mast on which a flag is raised and displayed: A flagstaff is a vertical structure, often made of wood or metal, designed specifically for flying a flag.
   • A city in north central Arizona, United States: Flagstaff is the proper name of a city known for its proximity to the Lowell Observatory and the San Francisco Peaks.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Pole):
  • The national flag was hoisted on the tall flagstaff in the town square.
  • Sailors carefully lowered the flag from the ship's flagstaff at sunset.
• Noun (City):
  • We drove through Flagstaff on our way to the Grand Canyon.
  • Flagstaff is a popular destination for astronomers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Advanced Usage

• "To lower the flagstaff": This phrase can be used metaphorically to signify a reduction in prominence or the end of an era, though it is less common. The action typically refers to lowering the flag itself, not the pole.
  • The ceremony of lowering the flag from the flagstaff marked the closing of the historic event.

Variants and Related Words

• Flagpole (n): A direct synonym for a flagstaff as a pole. "Flagpole" is often used interchangeably in everyday language.
  • The school installed a new flagpole in front of the building.
• Mast (n): A tall pole on a ship, which may serve as a flagstaff among other functions.
  • The signal flags were flown from the ship's main mast.

Synonyms

• Pole: A long, slender piece of wood or metal.
• Staff: A stick or pole used as a support or symbol of authority.
• Mast (nautical context).

Related Phrases

• Run up the flagstaff: To raise a flag quickly on the pole.
  • They will run the new banner up the flagstaff at dawn.
• At half-staff/half-mast: A position of a flag lowered halfway down the flagstaff as a mark of respect.
  • The flags were flown at half-staff on the national day of mourning.

Related Idioms

• Nail one's colors to the mast/flagstaff: To declare one's beliefs or loyalties openly and firmly, making retreat impossible. (Note: "mast" is more common in this idiom, but "flagstaff" can be used for variation).
  • By publishing the controversial article, the editor nailed his colors to the flagstaff.

Noun

1. a tall staff or pole on which a flag is raised
2. a town in north central Arizona; site of an important observatory