commander

noun

com·​mand·​er kə-ˈman-dər 

1

: one in an official position of command or control: such as

a

: commanding officer

b

: the presiding officer of a society or organization

2

: a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant commander and below a captain

commandership

kə-ˈman-dər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms of commander

• commandant

Examples of commander in a Sentence

a surrender of the fort by the commander without a single shot having been fired

the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise

Recent Examples on the Web

Responding to three years of airspace violations, Spinu suggested, has allowed Romanian and allied pilots and commanders to study Russian munitions, flight patterns and capabilities -- plus their own abilities in engaging such threats. — David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

Likewise, battlefield commanders often need urgent response plans to enemy attacks, something AI can help with. — Emelia S. Probasco, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2026

The officials said there was prior tension between LaNeve and Donahue after LaNeve's tenure as the commander of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division ended earlier than what is typical for that position. — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

With more than 26 years as a member of the Waukegan Police Department, Agalianos rose from starting as a patrol officer to become a detective, a sergeant, a commander and a deputy chief before becoming the newest chief. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing commander

• commander in chief
• lieutenant commander
• wing commander

Rhymes for commander

• bystander
• expander
• highlander
• leander
• meander
• philander
• brander
• candor
• dander
• gander
• grander
• hander

Kids Definition

commander

noun

com·​mand·​er kə-ˈman-dər 

1

: one in official command especially of a military force or base

2

: a naval commissioned officer with a rank just below that of captain

commandership

-ˌship 

noun