The significance of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) core functions and capabilities of SPHLs lies in the fact that laboratory testing is a common denominator for fulfillment of these and the majority of public health objectives, which are designed to be met by measurable indicators of goals.
1 Naval Termsthe commander in chief of a fleet. 2  Naval Terms, Militarya naval officer of the highest rank. 3  Naval Terms, Militarya naval officer of a high rank: the grades in the U.S. Navy are fleet admiral, admiral, vice-admiral, and rear admiral.
Definition of fleet. 1  1 : a number of warships under a single command; specifically : an organization of ships and aircraft under the command of a flag officer. 2  2 : group 2a, b; especially : a group (as of ships, planes, or trucks) operated under unified control.