banner

—bannered, adj. —bannerless, adj. —bannerlike, adj.

/ban"euhr/, n.

1. the flag of a country, army, troop, etc.

2. an ensign or the like bearing some device, motto, or slogan, as one carried in religious processions, political demonstrations, etc.

3. a flag formerly used as the standard of a sovereign, lord, or knight.

4. a sign painted on cloth and hung over a street, entrance, etc.: Banners at the intersection announced the tennis tournament.

5. anything regarded or displayed as a symbol of principles.

6. Heraldry. a square flag bearing heraldic devices.

7. Also called banner line, line, screamer, streamer. Journalism. a headline extending across the width of a newspaper page, usually across the top of the front page.

8. an open streamer with lettering, towed behind an airplane in flight, for advertising purposes.

adj.

9. leading or foremost: a banner year for crops.

[1200-50; ME banere < OF baniere < LL bann(um) (var. of bandum standard < Gmc, cf. Goth bandwa sign; see BAND¹) + OF -iere < L -aria -ARY]

Syn. 9. notable, record, winning, red-letter, vintage.

* * *