commander

noun

com·​mand·​er kə-ˈman-dər 

1

: one in an official position of command or control: such as

a

: commanding officer

b

: the presiding officer of a society or organization

2

: a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant commander and below a captain

commandership

kə-ˈman-dər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• captain
• commandant
• commanding officer

Examples of commander in a Sentence

a surrender of the fort by the commander without a single shot having been fired

the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise

Recent Examples on the Web

Shoup, the commander on duty at the time, soon realized more calls would come in because the phone number was a misprint from a newspaper ad. —Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024

Taking turns exiting their Crew Dragon spacecraft, Isaacman, Polaris Dawn mission commander, and Sarah Gillis, mission specialist, took turns testing the mobility and functionality of SpaceX's new extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024

Mikkelsen will take the role of mission commander and Philips the role of pilot. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024

In July 2023, Beijing appointed a PLA Navy deputy commander as the Rocket Force's new commander and an Air Force officer as its new political commissar. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing commander

• commander in chief
• lieutenant commander
• wing commander

Kids Definition

commander

noun

com·​mand·​er kə-ˈman-dər 

1

: one in official command especially of a military force or base

2

: a naval commissioned officer with a rank just below that of captain

commandership

-ˌship 

noun