flag-bearers
|flag-bear-ers|
🇺🇸
/ˈflæɡˌbɛrər/
🇬🇧
/ˈflæɡˌbɛərə/
(flag-bearer)
one who carries or represents a flag (literal or symbolic)
Etymology
'flag-bearer' is an English compound of 'flag' and 'bearer': 'flag' ultimately from Old Norse 'flagr' (a cloth used as a flag) and 'bearer' from Old English 'beran' (to carry).
'flag' entered English from Old Norse 'flagr' and 'bearer' developed from Old English 'beran' plus agent suffix '-er'; the compound appeared in Middle English and evolved into the modern English 'flag-bearer'.
Initially it literally meant 'one who carries a flag'; over time it also developed figurative senses such as 'a prominent representative or champion of a cause'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who carries a flag in a procession, parade, ceremony, or sporting event.
At the opening ceremony, the flag-bearers led their teams into the stadium.
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Noun 2
a person who represents or publicly promotes a movement, cause, organization, or set of ideas (figurative use).
The NGO's founders were flag-bearers for the environmental movement.
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Noun 3
a symbolic leader or prominent representative of a group, style, or trend.
Young activists acted as flag-bearers for the new generation's demands.
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Last updated: 2026/01/10 07:59