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

Who or what will guide us to artificially intelligent salvation, according to the commander in chief? — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

This will provide the commander in chief with the legitimate authority to conduct counterterrorist operations and go after those who want to harm us. — John M. Weaver, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2026

There have even been times the commander in chief contradicted himself and his own Cabinet in the same week — and sometimes, the same day. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

And as its commander in chief, the president decides when and how to deploy it. — Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 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