1
a
: a piece of cloth attached by one edge to a staff and used by a leader (such as a monarch or feudal lord) as a standard (see standard entry 1 sense 1)
b
: flag entry 2 sense 1
our nation's beloved banner
c
: an ensign displaying a distinctive or symbolic device or legend (see legend sense 2a)
especially
: one presented as an award of honor or distinction
2
: a headline in large type running across a newspaper page
The banner read "Kennedy Wins."
3
: a strip of cloth on which a sign is painted
welcome banners stretched across the street
4
: a name, slogan, or goal associated with a particular group or ideology
the new banner is "community control"—
F. M. Hechinger
—often used with underF. M. Hechingerevery new administration arrives … under the banner of change—John Cogley
John Cogley5
or
or
: an advertisement graphic (see graphic entry 2 sense 2b) that runs usually across the top of a World Wide Web page
6
or
: the upper, large, often lobed petal of a papilionaceous flower (as of a pea or bean plant) : standard sense 8a, vexillum sense 3
The uppermost petal is the largest, and, since it is something like a flag, is sometimes called the banner.—John Nelson
compare keel sense 2b, wing sense 2e(2)
John Nelson
bannered; bannering; banners
1
: to furnish with a banner
a bannered storefront
2
journalism
: to print (a news story) under a headline in large type usually on the front page
News of the defeat was bannered in newspapers throughout the country.
1
: prominent in support of a political party
a banner Democratic county
2
: distinguished from all others especially in excellence
a banner year for business
Examples of banner in a Sentence
Noun
A banner was hung over the street advertising the local theater production.
Banners were carried by members of each group marching in the parade.
Adjective
It was a banner year for the sales department.
The team had a banner season last year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The new banner will cover film and TV, and span scripted and docs.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Rochelle Toplensky, WSJ, 3 Mar. 2020
The ’70s weren’t exactly banner days for newsroom diversity.
—Heidi Stevens, chicagotribune.com, 18 Apr. 2018
See All Example Sentences for banner
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Supporters of Poland’s anti-choice Law and Justice party (PiS) have written to Gibson’s Icon Productions banner in protest of her casting, according to Variety, citing Polish media outlets.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The new banner will cover film and TV, and span scripted and docs.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Investment banking still holds appeal, especially after a banner fourth quarter.
—Rochelle Toplensky, WSJ, 3 Mar. 2020
The ’70s weren’t exactly banner days for newsroom diversity.
—Heidi Stevens, chicagotribune.com, 18 Apr. 2018
See All Example Sentences for banner
Cite this Entry
“Banner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banner. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
banner
1 of 2 noun
ban·ner
ˈban-ər 
2
: a strip of cloth with a design, picture, or writing on it
banner
2 of 2 adjective
: unusually good : outstanding
a banner year for apples
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