commander
commander Lexical Profile
commander Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person in authority who holds supreme control or direction over a body of personnel, an expedition, a spacecraft, or an operational unit.
"The mission commander reviewed the flight plan with the astronauts before the spacecraft entered lunar orbit."
A commissioned naval officer ranking immediately below a captain and above a lieutenant commander, or a high-ranking police officer in charge of a major precinct or division.
"After fifteen years of dedicated maritime service, she was officially promoted to the rank of commander."
A member of a higher class within certain orders of knighthood or chivalric honors, ranking above an officer or companion and below a grand officer or knight grand cross.
"The distinguished composer was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his contributions to music."
• Rhymes for commander
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 14th century from Old French 'comandeor', an agent noun from 'comander' (to order or enjoin), which derives from Vulgar Latin '*commandare', an alteration of Late Latin 'commendare' (to entrust to someone's care).