flagship

FLAG-ship /ˈflæɡʃɪp/
nounadjectiveC1TOEFLIELTS
generalbusiness

Noun: The best or most important one of a group of things (e.g., products, stores, or publications) owned or produced by a particular organization. Adjective: Denoting the best or most important one of a group.

Implies a leading, representative, or most prominent item. It's often the product or store that embodies the brand's identity and capabilities.

The story behind the word. The word 'flagship' literally comes from the nautical term for the ship in a fleet that carries the commanding admiral and flies his distinctive flag. This ship is the most important and prominent vessel. By the early 20th century, the term was adopted metaphorically to refer to the most important or representative product, store, or publication of a company or organization.

Word relationships

  • premier: First in importance, order, or position.
  • leading: Most important or successful.
  • principal: First in order of importance; main.
  • subsidiary: Less important than but related or supplementary to something else.
  • minor: Lesser in importance, seriousness, or significance.

Commonly confused with

  • best-seller: A 'best-seller' is simply the product that sells the most, while a 'flagship' is the most important or representative product, which may or may not be the best-seller.

Collocations

  • flagship product
  • flagship store
  • flagship model
  • flagship brand
  • flagship device

Example sentences

  • "The new luxury sedan is the company's flagship model, showcasing their latest engineering and design innovations." Discussing a car manufacturer.
  • "The brand opened its flagship store on Fifth Avenue, designed to offer an immersive customer experience." In a retail report.

Memory hook

Think of a 'flag' waving proudly on the most important 'ship' in a fleet – it's the most prominent and representative. Flag on Ship

When not to use

Don't use it for an average or less important item. It specifically denotes superiority or prominence.

Fun facts

  • In retail, flagship stores are often large, elaborately designed, and located in prime commercial areas to showcase the brand's image.
  • Many tech companies release a 'flagship smartphone' each year, packed with their latest innovations.

Related words

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