blue flag

noun

1. any North American plant of the genus Iris, especially I. versicolor : the state flower of Tennessee.

Blue Flag

noun

1. an award given to a seaside resort that meets EU standards of cleanliness of beaches and purity of water in bathing areas

Word History and Origins

Origin of Blue Flag¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

The US island territory's red, white and blue flag adorns homes and businesses, and the sounds of salsa and reggaetón boom from passing cars and restaurants selling fried plantains and spit-roasted pork.

From BBC

Their campaign also goes by the name the “Blue Revolution” - a reference to the blue flag created in 1952 when British-administered Eritrea became an autonomous region of Ethiopia before it was later annexed.

From BBC

“When I saw our yellow and blue flag, I started to cry,” he said.

From Seattle Times

Welsh Water said the SAS report ignored the investment made to improve water quality in seas and rivers, helping ensure that Wales had 25% of the UK's Blue Flag beaches while only having 15% of the coastline.

From BBC

Among the sea of flags flying high in a burst of patriotic fervor in Burkina Faso, Mali and lately Niger, countries that have recently undergone military coups, the red, white and blue flag of the Russian Federation has become commonplace.

From New York Times