Definition

Noun: A vice admiral is a high-ranking naval officer. This rank is specifically one level below a full admiral and one level above a rear admiral in many modern navies.

Usage

The term "vice admiral" is used as a title or to refer to an officer holding that specific rank. * The ceremony honored the promotion of Captain Jones to Vice Admiral. * Vice Admiral Carter will assume command of the fleet next month. * He served as a vice admiral for three years before his retirement.

Advanced Usage

• The rank is often associated with commanding a major fleet or serving as a deputy to a full admiral in a large naval command structure.
• In some contexts, "vice admiral" can be used informally to denote a position of high authority just below the top leader in a non-military organization, though this is a metaphorical extension.

Variants and Related Words

• Vice-admiral: A less common hyphenated spelling of the same term.
• Admiral: The general term for a senior naval officer of high rank.
• Rear Admiral: The rank immediately below vice admiral.
• Fleet Admiral or Admiral of the Fleet: Ranks typically above a full admiral.

Synonyms

• Flag officer: A general term for a senior officer entitled to fly a flag to indicate their rank (includes vice admirals, rear admirals, and admirals).

Abbreviations and Symbols

• VAdm or VADM: Common abbreviations for Vice Admiral.
• Three-star rank: In the United States Navy and other services, a vice admiral is typically denoted by a three-star insignia, reflecting its position in the hierarchy.

Noun

1. an admiral ranking below a full admiral and above a rear admiral