View source for Admiral

{{Short description|Highest rank of naval officer}}
{{Other uses|Admiral (disambiguation)}}
{{Military ranks|William P Lawrence.jpg=}}
{{Navalranks}}

'''Admiral''' is one of the highest ranks in many [[navy|navies]]. In the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] nations and the [[United States]], a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" [[general officer|general]] in the army or the air force. Admiral is ranked above [[vice admiral]] and below [[admiral of the fleet]], or fleet admiral.

==Etymology==
The word {{lang|enm|admiral}} in [[Middle English]] comes from [[Anglo-Norman language|Anglo-French]] {{lang|xno|amiral}}, "commander", from [[Medieval Latin]] {{lang|la|admiralis}}, {{lang|la|admirallus}}. These evolved from the [[Arabic]] {{lang|ar-Latn|amīral}} ({{lang|ar|أمير الـ}}) – {{lang|ar-Latn|[[Emir|amīr]]}} ({{lang|ar|أمير}}) {{IPA|[ʔmjr]}} ({{pronunciation|Q166382-ar.oga|listen|help=no}}), "[[king]], [[prince]], chief, leader, [[Nobility|nobleman]], [[lord]], a [[governor]], [[commander]], or person who rules over a number of people" and {{lang|ar-Latn|al}} ({{lang|ar|الـ}}), the [[Arabic definite article]] meaning "the." In Arabic, admiral is also represented as {{lang|ar-Latn|Amīr al-Baḥr}} ({{lang|ar|أمير البحر}}), where al-Baḥr (البحر) means the [[sea]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/admiral|title=Definition of ADMIRAL|date=16 July 2023 |dictionary=[[Merriam-Webster]]}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Catafago|first=Joseph|title=An English and Arabic Dictionary, In Two Parts, Arabic and English, and English and Arabic|publisher=Bernard Quaritch, Oriental and Philological Bookseller. London|year=1858|pages=26, 30, 324}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Lane|first=Edward William|title=Arabic-English Lexicon, in Eight Parts. Part 1|publisher=Librairie du Liban. Beirut, Lebanon|year=1968|pages=97}}</ref>

The 1818 edition of [[Samuel Johnson]]'s ''[[A Dictionary of the English Language]]'', edited and revised by the Rev. [[Henry Todd (priest)|Henry John Todd]], states that the term<ref>{{Cite book|editor-last=Johnson|editor-first=Samuel and H. J. Todd|title="Definition of Admiral."}} A Dictionary of the English Language in which the words are deduced from their originals; and illustrated in their different significations, by examples from the best writers: together with A History of the Language, and an English Grammar. In Four Volumes. Vol. 1|publisher=Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown. London|year=1818}}</ref>: 

{{Blockquote|
text=[...] has been traced to the Arab. emir or amir, lord or commander, and the Gr. ἄλιος, the sea, q. d. ''prince of the sea''. The word is written both with and without the d, in other languages, as well as our own. Barb. Lat. admirallus and amiralius. V. Ducange. Barb. Græc. ἄμηραλιος. V. Meursii Gloss. Græco-Barbarum, edit. 1610. p. 29. Fr. admiral and amiral. Dan. the same. Germ. ammiral. Dutch, admirael or ammirael. Ital. ammiraglio. Sp. almirante. Minsheu, in his Spanish Dictionary, says 'almiralle is a king in the Arabian language.' Amrayl is used by Robert of Gloucester, in the sense of a prince, or governour.}}


The quote from [[John Minsheu]]'s Dictionarie in Spanish and English (1599), given in Johnson's Dictionary, has been confirmed as being accurate.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Minsheu|first=John|title=Dictionarie in Spanish and English|year=1599|pages=20}}</ref> Additionally, the definition of Amīr (أمير), as given in [[Edward William Lane]]'s [[Arabic-English Lexicon]], concurs, in part, with Minsheu's definition, stating that the term means "One having, holding, or possessing, command; a commander; a governor; a lord; a prince, or king."<ref name=":1" />

While other Greek words of the period existed to indicate "belonging to the sea," or "of the sea," the now obsolete Gr. {{lang|el|ἄλιος}} mentioned in Johnson's Dictionary is expressly defined as "of the sea, Lat. marinus, epith. of [[List of water deities|sea-gods]], [[nymph]]s, etc."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Liddell|first=Henry George and Robert Scott|title=Greek-English Lexicon. Seventh Edition|publisher=Harper & Brothers. New York|year=1883|pages=62}}</ref>

Though there are multiple meanings for the Arabic Amīr (أمير), the literal meaning of the phrase Amīr al-Baḥr (أمير البحر) is "Prince of the Sea."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Khalilieh|first=Hassan S.|title="Glossary of Non-English Terms." Islamic Law of the Sea|publisher=Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, UK|year=2019|isbn=978-1-108-48145-8|pages=11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title="Definition of Admiral." Scottish National Dictionary (1700-)|url=https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/admiral|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202231114/https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/admiral|archive-date=2 December 2018|access-date=25 February 2021|website=Dictionaries of the Scots Language}}</ref> This position, versus "commander of the sea," is demonstrated by legal practices prevailing in the [[Ottoman Empire]], whereas it was only possible for [[Phanariots]] to qualify for attaining four princely positions, those being [[Dragoman of the Porte|grand dragoman]], [[Dragoman of the Fleet|dragoman of the fleet]], and the [[voivode]]es of [[Moldavia]] and [[Wallachia]]. Those Phanariots who attained the princely position of dragoman of the fleet served under the Ottoman admiral having administration of the [[Aegean Islands|Aegean islands]] and the Anatolian coast.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ágoston|first=Gábor and Bruce Masters|title=Encyclopedia of The Ottoman Empire|publisher=Facts on File Library of World History. New York|year=2009|isbn=978-0-8160-6259-1|pages=458}}</ref>

Modern acknowledgement of the phrase [[Amīr]]-al-Baḥr (أمير البحر) meaning "Prince of the Sea" includes a speech made in an official [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]] ceremony conducted in an Arabic port, and a news article published by an Arabic news outlet: On 24 May 2012, in a [[change of command]] ceremony aboard [[aircraft carrier]] [[USS Enterprise (CVN-65)|USS Enterprise (CVN 65)]], while docked at Khalifa Bin Salman Port, [[Bahrain]], [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]] [[General officer|Gen]]. [[Jim Mattis|James Mattis]], Commander, [[United States Central Command|U.S. Central Command]], introduced [[Vice admiral|Vice Admiral]] [[Mark I. Fox]] as "Admiral Fox, the prince of the sea, emir of the sea – to translate 'admiral' from the Arabic to English;"<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 May 2012|title=Vice Adm. Miller Takes Helm of U.S. Navy in Middle East and Combined Maritime Forces|url=https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/05/24/vice-adm-miller-takes-helm-of-u-s-navy-in-middle-east-and-combined-maritime-forces/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927102002/https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/05/24/vice-adm-miller-takes-helm-of-u-s-navy-in-middle-east-and-combined-maritime-forces/|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=25 February 2021|website=Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)}}</ref> On 04 Feb 2021, in an announcement of his [[Coronavirus disease 2019|coronavirus]]-related death, the Arabic news website Saudi 24 News referred to Admiral Edmond Chagoury by the title "Prince of the Sea."<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 February 2021|title=Corona kidnaps the Prince of the Sea, Admiral Shaguri, in the protection of God – Al-Bina newspaper|work=Saudi 24 News|url=https://www.saudi24news.com/2021/02/corona-kidnaps-the-prince-of-the-sea-admiral-shaguri-in-the-protection-of-god-al-bina-newspaper.html|url-status=dead|access-date=25 February 2021|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224195602/https://www.saudi24news.com/2021/02/corona-kidnaps-the-prince-of-the-sea-admiral-shaguri-in-the-protection-of-god-al-bina-newspaper.html}}</ref>

One alternate etymology proposes that the term admiral evolved, instead, from the title of [[Amir al-umara|Amīr al-Umarā]]ʾ (أمير الأمراء). Under the reign of the [[Buyid dynasty]] (934 to 1062) of [[Iraq]] and [[Iran]], the title of Amīr al-Umarāʾ, which means prince of princes,<ref name=":0" /> came to denote the [[Heir apparent|heir-apparent]], or [[crown prince]].

This alternate etymology states that the term was in use for the Greco-Arab naval leaders (e.g. [[Christodulus]]) in the [[Norman-Arab-Byzantine culture]] of [[Norman Sicily]], which had formerly been ruled by Arabs, at least by the early 11th century. During this time, the Norman [[Roger II of Sicily]] (1095–1154) employed a Greek Christian, known as [[George of Antioch]], who previously had served as a naval commander for several North African Muslim rulers. Roger styled George in [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasid]] fashion as {{lang|ar-Latn|[[amir al-umara|Amir of Amirs]]}}, or Amīr al-Umarāʾ, with the title becoming Latinized in the 13th century as {{lang|la|ammiratus ammiratorum}}.<ref>{{cite book|author=David Abulafia|author-link=David Abulafia|year=2011|title=The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean|place=London|publisher=[[Allen Lane]]|isbn=978-0-7139-9934-1}}</ref>

The [[Sicilians]] and later the [[Genoa|Genoese]] took the first two parts of the term from their [[Crown of Aragon|Aragon]] opponents and used them as one word, {{lang|it|amiral}}. .<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rWVMAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA103|editor=Harry Thurston Peck|editor-link=Harry Thurston Peck|editor2=Selim Hobart Peabody|editor3=Charles Francis Richardson|title=The International Cyclopedia: A Compendium of Human Knowledge|publisher=[[Dodd, Mead & Co.]]|volume=1|year=1899|orig-year=1885|page=103}}</ref> The [[France|French]] gave their sea commanders similar titles while in [[Portugal|Portuguese]] and [[Spain|Spanish]] the word changed to {{lang|pt|almirante}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=A dictionary of the English and Portuguese languages |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0bA4AAAAYAAJ&pg=PT48 |author=Antonio Vieyra |year=1851 |volume=2 |page=48}}</ref> As the word was used by people speaking [[Latin]] or Latin-based languages it gained the "d" and endured a series of different endings and spellings leading to the English spelling {{lang|enm|admyrall}} in the 14th century and to ''admiral'' by the 16th century.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tfUKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA143 |title=The English Charlemagne Romances: The Boke of Duke Huon de Bordeaux |year=1534 |page=143}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e896FFNQ7lcC&pg=PA190 |author=John Ehrman |author-link=John Ehrman |title=The Navy in the War of William III 1689–1697: Its State and Direction |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |orig-year=1953 |year=2011 |page=190 |isbn=978-1-107-64511-0}}</ref>

It is important to note that the etymology of a word does not suggest the antiquity of the word as it may have appeared in other languages with entirely different pronunciations. The Greek ναύαρχος, for instance, which is pronounced "naúarkhos", existed from very ancient times in Greece. While ναύαρχος may be defined as "admiral" as used by [[Plutarch]] in his ''[[Parallel Lives]]'', the very pronunciation of ναύαρχος demonstrates that it is not a part of the etymology for the English word "admiral."

==History==
The word "admiral" has come to be almost exclusively associated with the highest [[Naval officer ranks|naval rank]] in most of the world's [[navy|navies]], equivalent to the army rank of [[general]]. However, this was not always the case; for example, in some European countries prior to the end of [[World War II]], admiral was the third highest naval rank after [[general admiral]] and [[grand admiral]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Erich Raeder|author-link=Erich Raeder|title=Grand Admiral|publisher=[[Da Capo Press]]|edition=1st|year=2001|page=430|isbn=0306809621}}</ref>

The rank of admiral has also been subdivided into various grades, several of which are historically extinct while others remain in use in most present-day navies. The [[Royal Navy]] used the colours red, white, and blue, in descending order to indicate [[Admiral (United Kingdom)|seniority of its admirals]] until 1864; for example, [[Horatio Nelson]]'s highest rank was vice-admiral of the white. The generic term for these naval equivalents of army generals is [[flag officer]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QSicAZUEoUEC&pg=PA139|author=Brian Lavery|title=Horatio Lord Nelson|publisher=Trustees of the National Maritime Museum|year=2003|page=139|isbn=0-8147-5190-3}}</ref> Some navies have also used army-type titles for them, such as the [[Oliver Cromwell|Cromwellian]] "general at sea".<ref>{{cite book|author=William Hepworth Dixon|author-link=William Hepworth Dixon|title=Robert Blake, Admiral and General at Sea: Based on Family and State Papers|publisher=Ballantyne Press|year=1885}}</ref>

==NATO code==
While the rank is used in most of NATO countries, it is ranked differently depending on the country.
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! rowspan=2| NATO code
! rowspan=2| Country<ref name="B-1">{{cite book |author1=NATO |title=STANAG 2116 NATO |date=2021 |publisher=NATO Standardization Agency |edition=7th |location=Brussels, Belgium |pages=B-1–B-3}}</ref>
! colspan=2| English equivalent
|-
! UK
! US
|-
! OF-9
| Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey,
| [[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]]
| [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]]
|-
! OF-8
| Albania, Spain
| [[Vice admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice admiral]]
| [[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice admiral]]
|}

==Admiral insignia by country==
<gallery class="center">
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|sq|Admiral}}<br />[[Albanian Navy]]<ref name="Albanian_Navy">{{cite web |title=GRADAT, FORCA DETARE |url=https://aaf.mil.al/gradat/1466-gradat-e-fa |website=aaf.mil.al |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428065156/https://aaf.mil.al/images/pdf/gradat_FD.pdf |archive-date=28 April 2021 |language=sq}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aaf.mil.al/english/index.php/komanda-e-fd/382-rank-insignias/2034-navy-forces-ranks|title=Naval Force|access-date=2021-09-01|archive-date=2022-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218021035/https://aaf.mil.al/english/index.php/komanda-e-fd/382-rank-insignias/2034-navy-forces-ranks|url-status=dead}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Argentine Navy]]<ref name="Argentina">{{cite web |title=Grados Militares |url=https://www.fuerzas-armadas.mil.ar/GradosMilitares.aspx |website=fuerzas-armadas.mil.ar |publisher=Joint Chiefs of Staff (Argentina) |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=es}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|Admiral<br />[[Royal Australian Navy]]<ref name="Australia">{{cite web |title=Badges of rank |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/images/Badges_of_rank.pdf |website=defence.gov.au |publisher=Department of Defence (Australia) |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Azerbaijan-Navy-OF-8.svg|{{lang|az|Admiral}}<br />[[Azerbaijani Navy]]<ref name="Azerbaijan">{{cite web |title=Azərbaycan Respublikası Silahlı Qüvvələri hərbi qulluqçularının hərbi geyim forması və fərqləndirmə nişanları haqqında Əsasnamə |url=https://mod.gov.az//images/pdf/854d34d118da32783a511172925270d7.pdf |website=mod.gov.az |publisher=Ministry of Defense |access-date=16 February 2021 |language=az |pages=64–70 |date=25 June 2001}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|Admiral<br />[[Bangladesh Navy]]<ref name="Bangladesh_Navy">{{cite web |author1=Bangladesh Navy |title=Rank of Navy & Equivalent Rank |url=https://www.navy.mil.bd/Rank-of-Navy-&-Equivalent-Rank |website=navy.mil.bd |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|nl-BE|Admiraal}}<br />{{lang|fr-BE|Amiral}}<br />[[Belgian Navy]]
File:Generic-Navy-(star)-O11.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Bolivian Naval Force]]<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Ministry of Defense (Bolivia) |author-link=Ministry of Defense (Bolivia) |user=mindefbolivia |number=1215275830206779392 |date=9 January 2020 |title=Conoce la jerarquía de los grados de la #ArmadaBoliviana |language=es |access-date=28 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-13.svg|{{lang|pt-BR|Almirante}}<br />[[Brazilian Navy]]<ref name="Brazil_Navy">{{cite web |title=Postos e Graduações |url=https://www.marinha.mil.br/postos-e-graduacoes |website=marinha.mil.br |date=11 July 2017 |publisher=Brazilian Navy |access-date=7 May 2021 |language=pt}}</ref>
File:Bulgaria-Navy-OF-9 sleeve.svg|{{lang|bg|Адмирал}}<br />{{lang|bg-Latn|Admiral}}<br />[[Bulgarian Navy]]<ref name="Bulgaria">{{cite web |title=ЗАКОН ЗА ОТБРАНАТА И ВЪОРЪЖЕНИТЕ СИЛИ НА РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ |url=https://www.lex.bg/bg/laws/ldoc/2135631954 |website=lex.bg |access-date=25 May 2021 |location=Глава седма. ВОЕННА СЛУЖБА |language=bg |date=12 May 2009}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|Admiral<br />{{lang|fr|Amiral}}<br />[[Royal Canadian Navy]]<ref name="Canada">{{cite web |title=Ranks and appointment |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/caf/military-identity-system/rank-appointment-insignia.html |website=canada.ca |date=23 November 2017 |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=28 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-(star)-O11.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Chilean Navy]]<ref name="Chile_Navy">{{cite web |title=Los grados jerárquicos de la Armada |url=https://www.armada.cl/armada/nuestra-armada/los-grados-jerarquicos-de-la-armada/2017-08-29/095559.html |website=armada.cl/ |publisher=Chilean Navy |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=es |date=7 May 2014}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Colombian Navy]]
File:18.DRCN-VADM.svg|{{lang|fr|Amiral}}<br />[[Navy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Navy of DR of Congo]]
File:Croatia-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|hr|Admiral}}<br />[[Croatian Navy]]<ref name="Croatia">{{cite web |title=Oznake činova |url=http://www.osrh.hr/#rubData/HTML/HR/RAZNO/OZNAKE/20190401_Galerija_oznaka/Galerija_oznaka_HR.htm |website=osrh.hr |publisher=Republic of Croatia Armed Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=hr |date=1 April 2019}}</ref>
File:Cuba-Navy-OF-8.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Cuban Revolutionary Navy]]<ref name="Cuba_Navy">{{cite web |title=Grados militares |url=https://www.minfar.gob.cu/far/grados-militares?field_clasificacion_value=marina |website=minfar.gob.cu |publisher=Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (Cuba) |access-date=28 May 2021 |language=es}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|da|Admiral}}<br />[[Royal Danish Navy]]<ref name="Denmark_Navy">{{cite web |title=Søværnets Gradstegn |url=https://forsvaret.dk/globalassets/fko---forsvaret/dokumenter/gradstegn/-sovarnets-gradstegn--.pdf |website=[[forsvaret.dk]] |publisher=Danish Defence |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=da |date=2018}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-(star)-O11.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Dominican Navy]]<ref name="DominicanRepublic_Officers">{{cite web |title=Insignias |url=https://www.mide.gob.do/detail.aspx?id=477&sl=96 |website=mide.gob.do |publisher=Ministry of Defense (Dominican Republic) |access-date=28 May 2021 |language=es |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226162440/https://www.mide.gob.do/detail.aspx?id=477&sl=96 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:Ecuador-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Ecuadorian Navy]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Officerer |url=https://www.armada.mil.ec/?page_id=39107 |website=armada.mil.ec |date = 8 April 2019|publisher=Ecuadorian Navy |access-date=28 May 2021 |language=es}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|et|Admiral}}<br />[[Estonian Navy]]<ref name="Estonia_Navy">{{cite web |title=Sümboolika: Mereväe Auastmed |url=https://mil.ee/kaitsevagi/kaitsevae-symboolika/#t-merevae-auastmed |website=mil.ee |publisher=Estonian Defence Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=et}}</ref>
File:Finland-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|fi|Amiraali}}<br />{{small|({{langx|sv|Amiral}})}}<br />[[Finnish Navy]]<ref name="Finland">{{cite web |title=Sotilasarvot Puolustusvoimissa |url=https://puolustusvoimat.fi/sotilasarvot |website=puolustusvoimat.fi |publisher=Finnish Defence Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=fi}}</ref>
File:France-Navy-OF-9 Sleeve.svg|{{lang|fr|Amiral}}<br />[[French Navy]]<ref name="FranceNavy">{{cite web |title=Instruction n°1 DEF/EMM/RH/CPM relative aux uniformes et tenues dans la Marine du 15 juin 2004 |url=http://www.boc.sga.defense.gouv.fr/visu/boc_visu4.php?nor=B0451497J&id=2408 |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.boc.sga.defense.gouv.fr%2Fvisu%2Fboc_visu4.php%3Fnor%3DB0451497J%26id%3D2408 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-06-15 |access-date=4 June 2021 |pages=3793–3867 |language=fr |date=15 June 2004}}</ref>
File:23.GN-ADM.svg|{{lang|fr|Amiral}}<br />[[Gabonese Navy]]
File:Generic-Navy-(star)-O11.svg|{{lang|de|Admiral}}<br />[[German Navy]]<ref name="Germany_Navy">{{cite web |title=Dienstgradabzeichen Marine |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/aktuelles/mediathek/dienstgradabzeichen-marine-69062 |website=bundeswehr.de |publisher=Bundeswehr |access-date=30 May 2021 |language=de }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|Admiral<br />[[Ghana Navy]]
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|Admiral<br />{{lang|hi|एडमिरल}}<br />[[Indian Navy]]<ref name="India_Navy">{{cite web |title=Ranks & Insignia |url=https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/en/about-us/ranks-insignia.html |website=Join Indian Navy |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>
File:Rank insignia of ammiraglio of the Italian Navy.svg|{{lang|it|Ammiraglio}}<br />[[Italian Navy]]
File:Ivory Coast-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|fr|Amiral}}<br />[[Armed Forces of the Republic of Ivory Coast|Navy of Ivory Coast]]<ref name="IvoryCoast">{{cite web |title=GRADES / APPELLATIONS / DISTINCTIONS |url=http://www.defense.gouv.ci/culture/grades |website=defense.gouv.ci |publisher=Ministère de la Défense |access-date=23 September 2020 |language=fr |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001165925/https://www.defense.gouv.ci/culture/grades |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:Russia-Navy-OF-8-Sleeve.svg|{{lang|kk|Адмирал}}<br />{{lang|kk-Latn|Admïral}}<br />[[Kazakh Naval Forces]]<ref name=Kazakhstan>{{cite web |title=Қазақстан Республикасының Қарулы Күштері, басқа да әскерлері мен әскери құралымдары әскери қызметшілерінің әскери киім нысаны және айырым белгілері туралы |url=https://adilet.zan.kz/kaz/docs/U1100000144 |website=adilet.zan.kz |publisher=Ministry of Justice (Kazakhstan) |access-date=29 May 2021 |language=kk |date=25 August 2011}}</ref>
File:19. Madagascar Navy - ADM.svg|{{lang|fr|Amiral}}<br />[[Madagascar Navy]]<ref name="Madagascar">{{cite web |title=LOI N° 96-029 portant Statut Général des Militaires |url=http://www.defense.gov.mg/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LOI-96-029.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710195555/http://www.defense.gov.mg/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LOI-96-029.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2021 |website=defense.gov.mg |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Madagascar) |access-date=10 July 2021 |pages=2 |language=fr |date=15 November 1996}}</ref>
File:Mexico-Navy-OF8 sleeve.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Mexican Navy]]<ref name="Mexico_Navy">{{cite web |author1=Secretary of the Navy |author1-link=Secretariat of the Navy |title=Ley Orgánica De La Armada De México |trans-title=Organic Law of the Mexican Navy |url=https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/355395/LEY_ORG_NICA_DE_LA_ARMADA_DE_M_XICO.pdf |access-date=22 May 2021 |pages=16–17 |language=es |date=21 July 2018}}</ref>
File:Montenegro-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|cnr|Amiral}}<br />[[Montenegrin Navy]]
File:Morocco-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|fr|Amiral}}<br />[[Royal Moroccan Navy]]
File:Mozambique-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|pt|Almirante}}<br />[[Mozambique Defence Armed Forces|Mozambique Naval Command]]
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|Admiral<br />[[Nigerian Navy]]
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|no|Admiral}}<br />[[Royal Norwegian Navy]]<ref name="Norway">{{cite web |title=Militære grader |url=https://www.forsvaret.no/om-forsvaret/uniformer-grader-medaljer/grader |website=forsvaret.no |publisher=Norwegian Armed Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=no |date=4 February 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|Admiral<br />[[Pakistan Navy]]
File:Generic-Navy-(star)-O12.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Paraguayan Navy]]
File:Peru-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Peruvian Navy]]<ref name="Peru">{{cite web |title=Grados Militares |url=https://www.ccffaa.mil.pe/cultura-militar/grados-militares/ |website=ccffaa.mil.pe |publisher=Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru |access-date=29 May 2021 |language=es}}</ref>
File:PN ADM BlkDr-Slv.svg|Admiral<br />[[Philippine Navy]]
File:Poland-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|pl|Admirał}}<br />[[Polish Navy]]<ref name="Poland_Navy">{{cite web |title=Sposób noszenia odznak stopni wojskowych na umundurowaniu Marynarki Wojennej |url=https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/iwsp/u/27/96/27964313-a4b1-4c28-9ea2-08de33e7aa58/08c_oznaki_stopni_wojskowych_na_umundurowaniu_mw_ok.pdf |website=wojsko-polskie.pl |publisher=Armed Forces Support Inspectorate |access-date=7 June 2021 |language=pl}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|pt|Almirante}}<br />[[Portuguese Navy]]<ref name="Portugal_Navy">{{cite web |title=Os Postos |url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/a-marinha/Paginas/postos.aspx |website=marinha.pt |access-date=26 February 2021 |language=pt}}</ref>
File:Romania-Navy-OF-9-Sleeve.svg|{{lang|ro|Amiral}}<br />[[Romanian Naval Forces]]<ref name="Romania">{{cite web |title=Grade militare (Military ranks) |url=https://www.defense.ro/foto/album6 |website=defense.ro |publisher=Romanian Defence Staff |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=ro}}</ref>
File:Russia-Navy-OF-8-Sleeve.svg|{{lang|ru|Адмирал}}<br />{{lang|ru-Latn|Admiral}}<br />[[Russian Navy]]
File:Generic-Navy-(star)-O12.svg|{{lang|sr|Адмирал}}<br />{{lang|sr-Latn|Admiral}}<br />[[Serbian River Flotilla]]<ref name="Serbia">{{cite web |title=ЧИНОВИ У ВОЈСЦИ СРБИЈЕ |url=http://www.vs.rs/sr_cyr/o-vojsci/obelezja-i-oznake/cinovi-u-vojsci-srbije |website=vs.rs |publisher=Serbian Armed Forces |access-date=7 June 2021 |language=sr}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-13.svg|{{lang|sl|Admiral}}<br />[[Slovenian Navy]]<ref name="Slovenia">{{cite web |title=Čini in razredi |url=https://www.slovenskavojska.si/o-vojski/cini-in-razredi/ |website=slovenskavojska.si |publisher=Slovenian Armed Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=sl}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|Admiral<br />[[South African Navy]]<ref name="SouthAfrica_Navy">{{cite web |title=Rank Insignia |url=http://www.navy.mil.za/aboutus/Rank_Insignia.gif |website=navy.mil.za |publisher=Department of Defence (South Africa) |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518212959/http://www.navy.mil.za/aboutus/Rank_Insignia.gif |archive-date=18 May 2019}}</ref>
File:Spain-Navy-OF-8.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Spanish Navy]]<ref name="Spain">{{cite web |title=Army Ranks & Insignia |url=https://ejercito.defensa.gob.es/en/personal/divisas-empleos.html |website=ejercito.defensa.gob.es |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Spain) |access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|Admiral<br />[[Sri Lanka Navy]]<ref name="SriLanka_Navy">{{cite web |title=Branches/ Ranks |url=https://www.navy.lk/branches-ranks.html |website=navy.lk |publisher=Sri Lanka Navy |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619063013/https://www.navy.lk/branches-ranks.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|sv|Amiral}}<br />[[Swedish Navy]]<ref name="FMgrader2019">{{cite web|title=Nya gradbeteckningar införs|url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2019/10/nya-gradbeteckningar-infors/|publisher=Försvarsmakten|date=2019-10-01|access-date=2019-10-02}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|fr|Amiral}}<br />{{small|({{langx|ar|فريق أول بالبحرية|Fariq 'awal bialbahria}})}}<br />[[Tunisia Navy]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Les grades des officers de la marine |url=http://www.emam.defense.tn/index.php/fr/your-profile |website=emam.defense.tn |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Tunisia) |access-date=10 June 2021 |language=fr |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929183805/http://www.emam.defense.tn/index.php/fr/your-profile |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:Russia-Navy-OF-8-1994-everyday.svg|{{lang|tk|Admiral}}<br />[[Turkmen Naval Forces]]<ref name="Turkmenistan">{{cite web |title=TÜRKMENISTANYŇ KANUNY Harby borçlulyk we harby gulluk hakynda (Türkmenistanyň Mejlisiniň Maglumatlary 2010 ý., № 3, 58-nji madda) (Türkmenistanyň 01.10.2011 ý. № 234-IV Kanuny esasynda girizilen üýtgetmeler we goşmaçalar bilen) |trans-title=LAW OF TURKMENISTAN On military service and military service (Information of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, 2010, No. 3, Article 58) (as amended by the Law of Turkmenistan of October 1, 2011 No. 234-IV) |url=https://milligosun.gov.tm/storage/file/04-harby-borclulyk-we-harby-gulluk-hakynda-ky9J0pKxTQ.pdf |website=milligosun.gov.tm |publisher=Ministry of Defense (Turkmenistan) |access-date=2 June 2021 |pages=28–29 |language=tk}}</ref>
File:Ukraine-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|uk|Адмірал}}<br />{{lang|uk-Latn|Admiral}}<br />[[Ukrainian Navy]]<ref name="Ukraine">{{cite web |title=НАКАЗ 20.11.2017 № 606 |url=https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z1502-17#Text |website=zakon.rada.gov.ua |publisher=Ministry of Justice of Ukraine |access-date=2 June 2021 |language=uk |date=13 December 2017}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|Admiral<br />[[Royal Navy]]<ref>{{cite book |title=System of government, command and organisation |series=The Queen's regulations for the Royal Navy |date=2017 |pages=3–17 |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/royal-navy-responsive/documents/reference-library/brd2/ch03.pdf |access-date=1 September 2021 |chapter=Chapter 3: Rank and Command}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-(star v2)-O11.svg|Admiral<br />[[United States Navy]]<ref name="Dod_Ranks">{{cite web |title=U.S. Military Rank Insignia |url=https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Insignia/ |website=defense.gov |publisher=Department of Defense |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref>
File:US-CoastGuard-O10.svg|Admiral<br />[[United States Coast Guard]]<ref name="Dod_Ranks" />
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[National Navy of Uruguay]]<ref name="Uruguay">{{cite book |editor1-last=Hudson |editor1-first=Rex A. |editor2-last=Meditz |editor2-first=Sandra W. |title=Uruguay: A Country Study |date=1992 |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress |isbn=0-8444-0737-2 |pages=222–223 |edition=2nd |url=https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Publications/Uruguay%20Study_3.pdf?ver=2012-10-11-163307-517 |access-date=13 June 2021 |chapter=Chapter 5. National Security}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />[[Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela]]<ref name="Venezuela_Officer1">{{cite web |title=Grados de Generales y Almirantes |url=http://www.ejercito.mil.ve/grados-de-generales-y-almirantes/ |website=ejercito.mil.ve |publisher=Government of Venezuela |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717185821/http://www.ejercito.mil.ve/grados-de-generales-y-almirantes/ |archive-date=17 July 2019 |date=28 August 2017}}</ref>
</gallery>

==National ranks==
* [[Admiral (Australia)]]
* [[Admiral (Bangladesh)]]
* [[Admiral (Canada)]]
* [[Admiral (Denmark)]]
* [[Admiral (Germany)]]
* [[Admiral (India)]]
* [[Admiral (Netherlands)]]
* [[Admiral (Pakistan)]]
* [[Admiral (Russia)]]
* [[Admiral of Castile]]
* [[Admiral (Sri Lanka)]]
* [[Admiral (Sweden)]]
* [[Admiral (Ukraine)]]
* [[Admiral (United Kingdom)]]
* [[Admiral (United States)]]

==See also==
* [[Admiralissimo]]
* [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]]
* [[Comparative military ranks]]
* [[Artemisia I]], earliest known female admiral in ancient world
* [[Isabel Barreto]], first female admiral in modern world
* [[Laksamana]], native title for naval leaders in [[Indonesia]] and [[Malaysia]]
* [[Keumalahayati]], earliest female admiral (the first female Laksamana) in modern world
* [[Nebraska Admiral]]
* [[Ranks and insignia of NATO navies' officers]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Admiral|short=x}}
* {{cite NIE|wstitle=Admiral|short=x}}

{{Clear}}
{{Military ranks by country}}
{{Star officer ranks}}
{{Highest Military Ranks}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Naval ranks]]
[[Category:Admirals| ]]