# flagship

/ˈfɫæɡˌʃɪp/ (US) · /flˈæɡʃɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flagship
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. most important product or store

noun · CEFR C1 · General-service

the best, most important, or most famous thing that a company or group owns.

For teachers: the finest, largest, or most significant item in a series or collection, often used to represent the brand's identity.

- The company is opening its new flagship store in the center of London next month.
- The smartphone manufacturer launched its flagship model last night, boasting a revolutionary camera system designed to outperform all competitors in the premium market.

### 2. commander's ship

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the ship in a fleet that carries the commanding officer and flies their flag.

For teachers: the vessel in a naval fleet that carries the admiral or commander; it serves as the tactical and symbolic lead of the group.

- The admiral stood on the deck of the flagship as the fleet entered the harbor.
- The flagship sustained heavy damage during the initial engagement, forcing the command staff to transfer their operations to a secondary cruiser.

### 3. to lead or represent

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal

to be the main example of something or to lead a group of things.

For teachers: to serve as the primary representative or leading element of a larger project or organization.

- This new environmental project will flagship the city's green initiative.
- The university hopes that the new research center will flagship its expansion into biotechnology over the next decade.

## Examples

- The company just opened its new flagship store in London.
- The tech giant is preparing to launch its flagship smartphone, which features their most advanced camera technology to date.
- While the airline operates hundreds of routes, the non-stop flight between New York and London remains its flagship service, representing the pinnacle of its luxury offerings.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.