commando

noun

com·​man·​do kə-ˈman-(ˌ)dō 

plural commandos or commandoes

1

South Africa

a

: a military unit or command of the Boers

b

: a raiding expedition

2

a

: a military unit trained and organized as shock troops especially for hit-and-run raids into enemy territory

b

: a member of such a unit

see also:

go commando

Examples of commando in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond missile architecture, Pyongyang supplied Iran with midget submarines, anti-ship missiles, rocket launchers, and specialized commando training. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Aug. 2026

With a crew of military commandos, Ripley must defend the colony from an alien attack and keep 9-year-old Newt (Carrie Henn) in safe hands. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026

The commandos broke into the airport on July 3, 1976, and saved all but three hostages killed in the crossfire. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

This new version would introduce the commando strike force featuring iconic characters like Duke, Roadblock and Snake Eyes. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans kommando, from Dutch commando command, from Spanish comando, from comandar to command, from Late Latin commandare

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing commando

• go commando

Rhymes for commando

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

commando

noun

com·​man·​do kə-ˈman-dō 

plural commandos or commandoes

1

: a military unit trained and organized for surprise raids

2

: a member of a commando