rear admiral
noun
: a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard having either of two ranks:
a
: one who ranks above a captain
called also rear admiral (lower half)
b
: one who ranks above a rear admiral (lower half) and below a vice admiral
called also rear admiral (upper half)
Examples of rear admiral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Costly gathering of top brass On just a week's notice, Hegseth mandated all senior commanders at the rank of brigadier general or rear admiral lower half and above to report to the Virginia base around 40 miles south of Washington, DC.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 30 Sep. 2025
That Gallaudet is a retired rear admiral of the Navy and former acting and deputy administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, arguably adds credence to a belief that, while not uncommon, tends to draw eye-rolls.
—Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
Two years after dumping those helicopters into the sea, he was promoted to rear admiral.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
Some say Mason Berridge, rear admiral of the First World War Bermuda Garrison, was inspired by Nathaniel Coxon, owner of the Tea Room, who created Bermuda shorts for his staff to beat the heat.
—Alexander-Julian Gibbson, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rear admiral
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 30 Sep. 2025
That Gallaudet is a retired rear admiral of the Navy and former acting and deputy administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, arguably adds credence to a belief that, while not uncommon, tends to draw eye-rolls.
—Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
Two years after dumping those helicopters into the sea, he was promoted to rear admiral.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
Some say Mason Berridge, rear admiral of the First World War Bermuda Garrison, was inspired by Nathaniel Coxon, owner of the Tea Room, who created Bermuda shorts for his staff to beat the heat.
—Alexander-Julian Gibbson, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rear admiral
Cite this Entry
“Rear admiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rear%20admiral. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share