rhizoverbBeta
Dictionarycommanderperson in charge
noun

commander

kuh-MAN-der/kəˈmændər/

A person invested with authority to lead a force.

The commander orders the troops to return to their base.

A uniformed leader gives hand signals to assembled soldiers who immediately change formation under that person's authority.
Etymology
commandOld Frenchto order, enjoin
+erOld Frenchperson who acts

A commander is literally someone who gives orders with authority. The military sense applies that general role to a person empowered to direct troops or operations.

In context

Jonas Gahr Støre3:42
When I first came to Afghanistan in 2005 as a foreign minister, I met the commander of ISAF, the international troops.
Jonas Gahr Støre: In defense of dialogue
Peter van Uhm0:14
As the highest military commander of the Netherlands, with troops stationed around the world, I'm really honored to be here today.
Peter van Uhm: Why I chose a gun

More examples

  • The commanders meet to coordinate their units' movements.
  • Firefighters wait for instructions from the incident commander.
  • The ship's commander changes course to avoid the storm.

Forms

commander · commanders

command verb — To direct others with official authority.

Similar words

leader
Broader term that does not necessarily imply formal authority.
chief
Heads an organization or group, not necessarily a military force.