\Pen"nant\, n. [OE. penon, penoun, pynoun, OF. penon, F.
pennon, fr. L. penna feather. See {Pen} a feather, and cf.
{Pennon}, {Pinion}.] (Naut.)
(a) A small flag; a pennon. The {narrow, 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. ``With flags and pennants trimmed.''
    --Drayton.
(b) A rope or strap to which a purchase is hooked.