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rear admiral

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noun
  1. U.S. Navy, Coast Guard. a commissioned officer next in rank below a vice-admiral.
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Origin of rear admiral

First recorded in 1580–90
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for rear admiral

Historical Examples

  • Rear-Admiral Dewey (for he had just been promoted in rank) declared the port blockaded.

    The Philippine Islands

    John Foreman

  • The rear-admiral regarded his friend intently, as if inviting him to proceed.

    The Two Admirals

    J. Fenimore Cooper

  • At the end of the hour, the rear-admiral bethought him of retiring too.

    The Two Admirals

    J. Fenimore Cooper

  • "I want one of the young gentlemen, sentry," said the rear-admiral.

    The Two Admirals

    J. Fenimore Cooper

  • Our rear-admiral, nevertheless, was not a vulgar dreamer, on such occasions.

    The Two Admirals

    J. Fenimore Cooper

British Dictionary definitions for rear admiral

rear admiral

noun
  1. an officer holding flag rank in any of certain navies, junior to a vice admiral
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012