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

After some back and forth, Congress funded a navy in October of 1775 and named Esek Hopkins its commander in chief a couple months later. — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026

During the war Menelaus serves under his elder brother Agamemnon, the commander in chief of the Greek forces. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 July 2026

For most first ladies, the barrage softens or dissipates considerably after their husband leaves his tenure as commander in chief. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 15 June 2026

While Congress has the authority under the Constitution to declare war, the president also has power as the commander in chief to engage in military action, creating a legal dispute over which branch of government has ultimate say in matters of war and peace. — Arkansas Online, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for commander in chief

• beef
• brief
• fief
• grief
• leaf
• lief
• reef
• reif
• seif
• sheaf
• thief
• belief

Kids Definition

commander in chief

: one who holds the supreme command of an armed force