flag officer

American  

noun

1. a naval officer above the rank of captain, such as a fleet admiral, admiral, vice-admiral, rear admiral, or commodore, who is entitled to display a flag indicating their rank.

2. (formerly) an officer in command of a fleet, squadron, or group of ships.

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flag officer British  

noun

1. an officer in certain navies of the rank of rear admiral or above and entitled to fly its flag

2. the head of a boat or yacht club

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Etymology

Origin of flag officer

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

The only U.S. flag officer to win a Pulitzer, Adm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Navy’s senior officers, is one notch below rear admiral, the lowest-ranking flag officer.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

He distinguished himself at the Pentagon even before he attained flag officer rank.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 4, 2021

Capt. Bruyere, who specialized in recruiting and personnel, never became a flag officer during her 28 years in the Navy.

From Washington Post • Sep. 17, 2020

The flag officer, who had piloted them to the bridge, saluted smartly and retired.

From A Yankee Flier with the R.A.F. by Montgomery, Rutherford George