chain of command

noun phrase

: a series of executive positions in order of authority

a military chain of command

Examples of chain of command in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The report found that there was no chain of command for staff to escalate the process when an in-person physician does not show up on time, the report found. — Alana Semuels, Time, 10 Nov. 2026

In the near term, the United States should commit to operational flexibility, seconding any offensive strikes to a separate chain of command. — Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026

Legault forwarded the complaint up the chain of command, warning district officials that this email was just the beginning. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Witt said it was assigned to him through the FBI's chain of command in July, after FBI Director Kash Patel gave the case to the Kansas City field office. — Sophia Vlahakis, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chain of command

• analysand
• misunderstand
• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand