A flag is a piece of cloth with a design, typically attached to a pole, used as a symbol for a nation, state, or group. Flags can also function as signals, markers, or for other purposes, such as a flag a taxi or a referee's flag in a sports game.
As a symbol
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Nations, states, and organizations:National flags are powerful symbols of a country's identity. States, cities, organizations, and military groups also use flags.
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Historical significance:Flags have been used for centuries to identify groups, such as the Crusaders' cross variations.
As a signal or marker
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Signaling:A flag can be used to signal something to others, like a sailor using a flag for communication or a driver "flagging down" a taxi.
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Sporting events:Officials in many sports, like American football, throw a flag to signal a penalty.
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General use:The term "flag" can also refer to any marker or indicator, such as a tab on a file or a switch in a computer program.
As a verb
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To signal:To "flag" can mean to signal or call attention to something, like "to flag a taxi" or "to flag down a car".
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To mark:It can also mean to mark something for future attention, like "flagging a document" for review.