English

commissioner

gb/kəmˈɪʃənɚ/ us/kəmˈɪʃənɚ/
B1 English
~ 4200
Senses
0 senses
Noun B1 entity
1

Head of a department or body

A person in charge of running a department, group, or activity, especially in government or sports.

Usage pattern: [someone] is appointed as commissioner of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'commissioner' with 'commander', but 'commissioner' is usually an administrative leader rather than a military officer.
Synonyms
director (Similar in meaning but used more broadly for heads of organizations, not always in government.) | chief (Less formal and can refer to leaders in various contexts.)
Antonyms
subordinate (Someone who works under the authority of another, opposite of a leader or head.)
Collocations
police commissioner |sports commissioner |appointed commissioner |commissioner of police |commissioner of the league
Themes
government |sports |administration |politics |work
Examples
  • The police commissioner announced new safety measures for the city.
  • She was appointed commissioner of the national basketball league.
  • The commissioner held a press conference to address the scandal.
  • A new commissioner will be selected to oversee environmental policy.
  • The commissioner met with community leaders to discuss changes.
Learner examples
  • The commissioner spoke to the reporters.
  • He is the commissioner of the football league.
  • The city has a new police commissioner.
  • The commissioner made a new rule.
  • She is the commissioner for health.
Noun formal B2 entity
2

Member of an official commission

A person chosen to be part of a special group that studies or manages something for the government or another organization.

Usage pattern: [someone] serves as a commissioner on [a commission]
Synonyms
delegate (Represents others in a decision-making body, but not always part of a formal commission.) | board member (Part of an organized group but not necessarily an official commission.)
Antonyms
outsider (Someone not officially involved in the commission's work.)
Collocations
European Commissioner |UN human rights commissioner |commissioner on the inquiry panel
Themes
government |law |politics
Examples
  • She served as a commissioner on the truth and reconciliation commission.
  • The commissioners will release their findings next month.
  • Each state appointed two commissioners to the federal board.
  • The European Commissioner spoke about climate change policies.
  • Commissioners are expected to remain impartial during the investigation.
Learner examples
  • He is a commissioner on the trade board.
  • The commissioners will write a report.
  • She is a commissioner in the health group.
  • The commissioner works with other members.
  • They are commissioners for the city project.
Grammar
Dictionary form
commissioner
IPA
GB/kəmˈɪʃənɚ/
US/kəmˈɪʃənɚ/
Syllables & stress
com - mis - sion - er (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mis)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: commissioner
  • Plural: commissioners
Word family
Forms
commissioners noun
Core family
commission noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
decommission verb
Expressions

commissioner of police

1
/kəmˈɪʃənɚ əv pəlˈis/
fixed phrase formal

Official title for police head

A formal title for the top officer in charge of police in an area.

Examples
  • The Commissioner of Police attended the ceremony.
  • The Commissioner of Police issued a statement about public safety.

police commissioner

1
/pəlˈis kəmˈɪʃənɚ/
fixed phrase

Head of a police department

The person in charge of the police in a city or region.

Examples
  • The police commissioner announced new crime-fighting strategies.
  • After years on the force, he was promoted to police commissioner.

sports commissioner

1
/spˈɔɹts kəmˈɪʃənɚ/
fixed phrase

Head of a sports league

The person who manages and makes decisions for a sports league.

Examples
  • The sports commissioner approved changes to the tournament schedule.
  • Fans criticized the sports commissioner for the new rules.

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