1. a long triangular or swallow-tailed flag, especially one borne on a lance
Usage: historical; heraldic
2. a small flag used for signaling or identification
Usage: nautical

Examples

• The knight’s pennon fluttered from his lance as he rode into battle.
• Medieval tournaments featured colorful pennons displaying each competitor’s coat of arms.
• The ship’s pennon indicated its nationality to other vessels.
• A red pennon marked the commander’s position on the battlefield.
• The castle’s towers were decorated with pennons bearing the royal insignia.
• Each naval vessel flew a distinctive pennon for identification purposes.