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commodore

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noun com·mo·dore \ ˈkä-mə-ˌdȯr \

Definition of commodore

1 a :a captain in the navy in command of a squadron
b :a commissioned officer in the navy formerly ranking above captain and below rear admiral and having an insignia of one star
2 :the ranking officer commanding a body of merchant ships
3 :the chief officer of a yacht club or boating association

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Recent Examples of commodore from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'commodore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of commodore

probably modification of Dutch commandeur commander, from French, from Old French comandeor, from comander to command

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

COMMODORE Defined for English Language Learners

commodore

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noun

Definition of commodore for English Language Learners

  • : a high-ranking officer in the navy

  • : the person who is in charge of a yachting or boating club

COMMODORE Defined for Kids

commodore

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noun com·mo·dore \ ˈkä-mə-ˌdȯr \

Definition of commodore for Students

:an officer of high rank in the navy

Learn More about commodore

  1. See words that rhyme with commodore Spanish Central: Translation of commodore Nglish: Translation of commodore for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about commodore

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