commander

noun

com·​mand·​er kə-ˈman-dər How to pronounce commander (audio)
1
: one in an official position of command or control: such as
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 noun

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
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.
Hamas’ top military commander, Mohammad Deif, was killed during a strike in July 2024. Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025 North Korean troops are further disadvantaged by the crude tactics of their Russian commanders, who have sent them into assault campaigns without providing rear-fire support, the spy agency told lawmakers in January. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025 Under its charismatic commander Robert Brovdi, callsign Magyar ( ‘Madyar’ in Ukrainian, meaning Hungarian), the unit has grown in three years from a platoon into a regiment, destroying vast numbers of Russian forces each month. David Hambling, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Eileen Collins became the first female shuttle commander 26 years ago. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commander

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of commander was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commander. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

commander

noun
com·​mand·​er kə-ˈman-dər How to pronounce commander (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on commander

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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