commander
A person who is the leader of soldiers, police, or another group with power to give orders.
A person who has authority over a group of soldiers, police officers, or similar forces, especially in a particular operation, mission, or place.
A middle-high officer rank in the navy, higher than a lieutenant commander but lower than a captain.
A commissioned officer rank in many navies, above lieutenant commander and below captain, often used as a title before a surname.
A special honor title in some countries, given as a middle level in an order, such as a British or French order of merit.
A rank or grade in certain orders of honor or knighthood, typically above member or officer and below higher grades such as knight or grand cross.
- Base: commander
- Plural: commanders
commander in chief
1top leader of armed forces
The person who has the highest control over a country’s army, navy, and air force, often a president, king, or prime minister.
- In the United States, the president is the commander in chief of the armed forces.
- During the war, the commander in chief directed operations from a secure bunker.
- As commander in chief, she has the final say on all major military actions.
supreme commander
1overall military leader in war
The highest military leader who controls all forces in a big war, group of countries, or large area.
- The allied forces were placed under a single supreme commander.
- As supreme commander, he coordinated the armies of several nations on the front.
- History books often focus on the decisions of the supreme commander during the campaign.