commando

noun

com·​man·​do kə-ˈman-(ˌ)dō 

plural commandos or commandoes

1

South Africa

a

: a military unit or command of the Boers

b

: a raiding expedition

2

a

: a military unit trained and organized as shock troops especially for hit-and-run raids into enemy territory

b

: a member of such a unit

see also:

go commando

Examples of commando in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This new version would introduce the commando strike force featuring iconic characters like Duke, Roadblock and Snake Eyes. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 15 July 2026

The way Samuel, sporting a buzz-cut like a commando, pushed opponents around and stuck his head where other defenders were afraid to put their feet. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Instead, the deputy commander of the Entebbe raid – in which commandos rescued 102 hostages – boycotted the ceremony, along with many of the soldiers who took part in the daring mission. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

New additions to the cast include not only Pattinson but also Isaach de Bankolé as Paul’s former Fedaykin death commando. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans kommando, from Dutch commando command, from Spanish comando, from comandar to command, from Late Latin commandare

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing commando

• go commando

Rhymes for commando

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

commando

noun

com·​man·​do kə-ˈman-dō 

plural commandos or commandoes

1

: a military unit trained and organized for surprise raids

2

: a member of a commando