Amiral

Amiral is a naval rank used in several languages, most notably Turkish and Romanian, where it directly corresponds to the English term admiral. The word is derived from the Arabic amir al-bahr, meaning “commander of the sea,” and entered European naval vocabularies via medieval Latin and Romance forms such as Italian ammiraglio and French amiral.

In modern navies that use the term amiral, it designates a senior commissioned officer, usually the highest or among the highest ranks in peacetime. The precise position varies by country: in some systems amiral is the four-star rank, while in others it sits at three stars or is linked to higher titles such as grand admiral or admiral of the fleet.

Variations and cognates: In Turkish, amiral corresponds to the admiral; in Romanian, amiral; in other languages the same root yields forms like French amiral and Italian ammiraglio, reflecting a shared history of naval ranks adapted to local systems.

Insignia and duties vary by country, but commonly include stripes on shoulder boards or sleeves, and symbols such as anchors or stars that denote seniority. In contemporary usage, the term remains standard in countries that maintain the rank, while in others the equivalent title may differ.