commander

noun

com·​mand·​er kə-ˈman-dər How to pronounce commander (audio)
Synonyms of commandernext
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 How to pronounce commander (audio)
noun

Synonyms of commander

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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
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.
Once the ruthless commander of Bosnian Serb forces, Mladic oversaw the siege of Sarajevo, mass killings and the 1995 Srebrenica massacre that left more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys dead. — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Iran is expanding its defense capabilities, an Iranian army commander said Wednesday, after much of the country’s equipment was degraded by US-Israeli strikes in the early days of the war. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 Brothers Ramon Alvarez Ayala, 44, and Rafael Alvarez Ayala, 42, worked as regional commanders for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, in Michoacan, Mexico⁠, according to a DOJ press release. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026 Starlink has become deeply embedded in Ukraine’s military operations, with commanders and soldiers relying on satellite connectivity to communicate and coordinate operations. — ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commander

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of commander was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing commander

Rhymes for commander

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Browse Nearby Words

commandeer
commander
commander in chief
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Cite this Entry

“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commander. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

commander

noun
com·​mand·​er kə-ˈman-dər How to pronounce commander (audio)
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 How to pronounce commander (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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