noun

1. A naval officer of the highest rank; the commander of a country's naval forces.

2. A naval officer of high rank, immediately below Admiral of the Fleet; the commander of a fleet or squadron.

3. A flag officer in the United States Navy or Coast Guard of a grade superior to vice admiral and junior to admiral of the fleet (when that grade is used). An admiral is equal in grade or rank to a four-star general.

4. The ship which carries the admiral, the flagship; also, the most considerable ship of a fleet.

5. A prince or Saracen leader under the Sultan.

6. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Kaniska and Vanessa, especially a red admiral or white admiral.