commander in chief

noun phrase

: one who holds the supreme command of an armed force

Examples of commander in chief in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Russia launched its largest airstrike on Ukraine in almost three months last week, Ukraine's commander in chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said at the time. Hannah Peart, NBC News, 25 Nov. 2024 For instance, after losing the 2020 election, Trump wanted to impose a hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan in his waning weeks as commander in chief: the same kind of disastrous retreat that President Joe Biden authorized a half year later. Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024 So, ahead of Election Day (Nov. 5), Billboard tips its reporter’s hat to the commanders in chief whose policies and cultural cachet helped shape the music business. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2024 Since then, the lawyer launched a presidential campaign, only to end it in August and support Donald Trump in his third bid for commander in chief. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for commander in chief 

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of commander in chief was in 1654

Dictionary Entries Near commander in chief

Cite this Entry

“Commander in chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commander%20in%20chief. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

commander in chief

: one who holds the supreme command of an armed force

More from Merriam-Webster on commander in chief

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!