flag officer

noun

1. a naval officer above the rank of captain, such as a fleet admiral, admiral, vice-admiral, rear admiral, or commodore, who is entitled to display a flag indicating their rank.
2. (formerly) an officer in command of a fleet, squadron, or group of ships.

flag officer

noun

1. an officer in certain navies of the rank of rear admiral or above and entitled to fly its flag
2. the head of a boat or yacht club

Word History and Origins

Origin of flag officer¹

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

Cecil Haney became a flag officer in 2005 when he was promoted to rear admiral and pinned on his first star.

From Freakonomics

On you, every reliance is placed; and I wish I could say as much for every flag-officer afloat.

From Project Gutenberg

"Let the flag-officer go first," added some of the students, dragging Paul to the head of the column.

From Project Gutenberg

With the flag-officer, who had seen Christy but once or twice, he was not likely to suspect that Corny was an impostor.

From Project Gutenberg

"The flag-officer has signalled for the Vernon to come alongside," interposed another seaman who had heard the question.

From Project Gutenberg

In the middle of the afternoon of the next day, Mr. Flint reported to the flag-officer off Pensacola Bay.

From Project Gutenberg