Pennant vs. Banner — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 1, 2024
Pennants are typically triangular or tapering flags used to represent teams or convey messages in sports, while banners are larger, rectangular pieces of fabric displaying slogans, logos, or other messages, often used for advertising or celebrations.
Difference Between Pennant and Banner
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pennants are often made of a durable, lightweight fabric suitable for outdoor use, especially in sports arenas where they symbolize team spirit or achievements. In contrast, banners are usually rectangular and can be made from various materials including vinyl, fabric, or plastic, making them versatile for both indoor and outdoor use.
Pennants are generally designed to be hung from one point, giving them a distinctive tapered or triangular shape, whereas banners are typically hung flat against surfaces or suspended from both ends to display their full message prominently.
Sports teams frequently use pennants to display championships or team logos, reflecting a traditional form of sports memorabilia. Banners, on the other hand, are more commonly used for promotional purposes, such as advertising events, welcoming visitors, or celebrating special occasions.
Despite their differences, both pennants and banners serve as important tools for communication and decoration in various settings.
Comparison Chart
Shape
Triangular or tapering
Rectangular
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Usage
Sports, team identity
Advertising, celebrations
Material
Lightweight fabric
Vinyl, fabric, plastic
Display Method
Hung from one point
Hung flat or suspended from both ends
Cultural Role
Symbolizes achievements, team spirit
Used for promotions, welcoming messages
Compare with Definitions
Pennant
A narrow, tapering flag commonly used in sports to represent a team or achievement.
The baseball team hung their championship pennant in the stadium.
Banner
A flag or other piece of cloth resembling a flag, used as a symbol of a country, organization, or team.
The school’s banner was hoisted at the commencement ceremony.
Pennant
A symbol of victory or achievement in sports and other competitions.
Each year, the league awards a pennant to the winning team.
Banner
A large piece of cloth bearing a slogan, logo, or other message, used especially for advertising or as a protest sign.
The protesters carried banners that demanded justice.
Pennant
A commemorative flag used in schools and colleges to represent sports or academic success.
Alumni often buy pennants of their alma mater to remember their college days.
Banner
An official emblem or a leading figure regarded as a rallying point.
The revolutionary leader was often referred to as a banner for freedom.
Pennant
An item of fan merchandise, especially in sports, shaped like a tapering flag.
Fans waved their team’s pennant during the championship game.
Banner
A streamer, especially one that is long and suspended horizontally.
The festival featured colorful banners hanging across the streets.
Pennant
A small flag used in nautical contexts to indicate nationality or as a communication signal.
The ship flew a pennant to signal its arrival.
Banner
A headline extending across the width of a page.
The newspaper printed the victory news as a banner headline.
Pennant
(Nautical) A long, tapering, usually triangular flag, used on ships for signaling or identification.
Banner
A banner can be a flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, slogan or other message. A flag whose design is the same as the shield in a coat of arms (but usually in a square or rectangular shape) is called a banner of arms.
Pennant
A flag or an emblem similar in shape to a ship's pennant.
Banner
A long strip of cloth bearing a slogan or design, carried in a demonstration or procession or hung in a public place
Students waved banners and chanted slogans
A nuclear disarmament banner was carried round the war memorial
Pennant
A flag that symbolizes the championship of a league, especially a professional baseball league.
Banner
A heading or advertisement appearing on a web page in the form of a bar, column, or box
A banner ad
Pennant
The championship symbolized by such a flag.
Banner
Excellent; outstanding
The company was having a banner year
Pennant
A flag normally used by naval vessels to represent a special condition.
Banner
A piece of cloth attached to a staff and used as a standard by a monarch, military commander, or knight.
Pennant
The broad pennant flown by commodores.
Banner
The flag of a nation, state, or army.
Pennant
The church pennant indicating religious services are taking place aboard ship.
Banner
A piece of cloth bearing a motto or legend, as of a club.
Pennant
The commissioning pennant flown on ceremonial occasions.
Banner
A headline spanning the width of a newspaper page.
Pennant
(sports) The winning of a competition, represented by a flag.
The New York Yankees have won the American League pennant far more often than any other team.
Banner
A rectangular space with text or graphics, especially an advertisement, running across the top of a webpage or other online document.
Pennant
A commemorative flag, traditionally triangular and made of felt, typically used to show support for a particular athletic team.
Banner
(Botany) See standard.
Pennant
A rope or strap to which a purchase is hooked.
Banner
Unusually good; outstanding
A banner year for the company.
Pennant
A sandstone between coal measures in parts of South Wales
Banner
To supply with banners.
Pennant
Either of two species of libellulid dragonfly of the genus Macrodiplax, of the tropics and subtropics.
Banner
To give a banner headline to (a story or item) in a newspaper.
Pennant
A small flag; a pennon. The narrow pennant, or long pennant (called also whip or coach whip) is a long, narrow piece of bunting, carried at the masthead of a government vessel in commission. The board pennant is an oblong, nearly square flag, carried at the masthead of a commodore's vessel.
Banner
A flag or standard used by a military commander, monarch or nation.
Pennant
The award given to the champion
Banner
(by extension) The military unit under such a flag or standard.
Pennant
A flag longer than it is wide (and often tapering)
Banner
(by extension) A military or administrative subdivision.
Pennant
A long flag; often tapering
Banner
Any large sign, especially when made of soft material or fabric.
The mayor hung a banner across Main Street to commemorate the town's 100th anniversary.
Banner
A large piece of cloth with a slogan, motto, or emblem carried in a demonstration or other procession or suspended in some conspicuous place.
Banner
A cause or purpose; a campaign or movement.
They usually make their case under the banner of environmentalism.
Banner
(journalism) The title of a newspaper as printed on its front page; the nameplate; masthead.
Banner
A type of advertisement on a web page or on television, usually taking the form of a graphic or animation above or alongside the content.
Banner
(heraldry) The principal standard of a knight.
Banner
A type of administrative division in Inner Mongolia and Tuva, made during the Qing dynasty; at that time, Outer Mongolia and part of Xinjiang were also divided into banners.
Banner
One who bans something.
Banner
Exceptional; very good.
Banner
(transitive) To adorn with a banner.
Banner
To display as a banner headline.
Banner
A kind of flag attached to a spear or pike by a crosspiece, and used by a chief as his standard in battle.
Hang out our banners on the outward walls.
Banner
A large piece of silk or other cloth, with a device or motto, extended on a crosspiece, and borne in a procession, or suspended in some conspicuous place.
Banner
Any flag or standard; as, the star-spangled banner.
Banner
Long strip of cloth for decoration or advertising
Banner
A newspaper headline that runs across the full page
Banner
Unusually good; outstanding;
A banner year for the company
Common Curiosities
What are common uses of banners in commercial settings?
Banners are frequently used for promotions, event advertisements, and welcoming messages in stores and at corporate events.
Can banners be used for digital displays?
Yes, banners can also refer to digital graphics used for web advertisements or headers.
How long can pennants and banners last?
Both can last for many years if made from durable materials and maintained properly.
How are banners typically displayed at events?
Banners are often hung flat against surfaces or suspended from both ends to be visible from a distance.
Are there size restrictions for banners?
No, banners can vary greatly in size, depending on their intended use and location.
What is typically the material of a pennant?
Pennants are usually made of a durable, lightweight fabric.
Are pennants used outside of sports contexts?
Yes, pennants are also used in nautical contexts and as commemorative items in educational institutions.
What does a pennant symbolize in sports?
In sports, a pennant typically symbolizes team identity or championship victories.
What messages are commonly displayed on banners?
Banners often display slogans, celebratory messages, logos, and other promotional content.
Can the design of pennants vary?
Yes, while traditionally triangular, pennants can also be swallow-tailed or have other shapes.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
