n. 1 a a large rectangular sign bearing a slogan or design and usu. carried on two side-poles or a crossbar in a demonstration or procession. b a long strip of cloth etc. hung across a street or along the front of a building etc. and bearing a slogan. 2 a slogan or phrase used to represent a belief or principle. 3 a flag on a pole used as the standard of a king, knight, etc., esp. in battle. 4 (attrib.) US excellent, outstanding (a banner year in sales). banner headline a large newspaper headline, esp. one across the top of the front page. join (or follow) the banner of adhere to the cause of. bannered adj.
[ ME f. AF banere, OF baniere f. Rmc ult. f. Gmc ]