# admiralty

/ˈædmɝəɫti/ (US) · /ˈædməɹəlti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/admiralty
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. naval authority

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the government department or group of high-ranking officers in charge of a country's navy.

For teachers: the department or body of officials having supreme authority over naval affairs and maritime military operations.

- The British Admiralty ordered the fleet to return to the harbour immediately.
- During the nineteenth century, the Admiralty exercised absolute control over the strategic deployment of the Royal Navy across the globe.

Usage: Often capitalized when referring to a specific historical department, such as the British Admiralty.

### 2. maritime law

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the special legal system and courts that handle arguments or crimes involving ships and the ocean.

For teachers: the system of jurisprudence and the specific courts that exercise jurisdiction over maritime questions, contracts, and offences.

- The dispute over the sunken cargo was settled in a court of admiralty.
- Admiralty law governs legal matters arising on the high seas, including salvage rights and collisions between commercial vessels.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'admiralty law' or 'admiralty court'.

### 3. office of an admiral

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

the rank, office, or power held by an admiral.

For teachers: the office, rank, or specific jurisdiction held by an admiral.

- He was promoted to the admiralty after years of distinguished service at sea.
- The responsibilities of the admiralty included not only tactical command but also the administrative oversight of the regional dockyards.

### 4. a specific building

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the building where naval business is conducted.

For teachers: the physical building or headquarters in which a naval department transacts its official business.

- The historic Admiralty building stands near the centre of London.
- Crowds gathered outside the Admiralty to await news of the naval engagement in the Atlantic.

Usage: Usually capitalized when referring to a specific landmark.

## Examples

- The Admiralty ordered the fleet to sail.
- The First Lord of the Admiralty announced new rules for naval recruitment.
- During the Napoleonic Wars, the Admiralty struggled to maintain supply lines across the Atlantic while managing complex diplomatic relations.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.