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
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.
Serving as a state’s top executive provides potential women presidential contenders with executive skills and experience, statewide and national recognition and substantive leadership records that can match voter expectations for the country’s commander in chief. Kelly Dittmar, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 The 34-year-old fighter sent a post on X, in response to a post from President Donald Trump, urging the commander in chief not to involve the U.S. in the ongoing conflict. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025 Governors are the commanders in chief of their National Guard and the federal government activating them in their own borders without consulting or working with a state's governor is ineffective and dangerous. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025 The dinner for top purchasers of the $TRUMP meme coin is a vivid example of that, critics said, with 220 top investors getting prized time with the commander in chief. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for commander in chief

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of commander in chief was in 1654

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Cite this Entry

“Commander in chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commander%20in%20chief. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

commander in chief

: one who holds the supreme command of an armed force

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