B2noun2K

Commander

UK /["/kəˈmɑːndə(r)/"]/US /["/kəˈmændər/"]/

Definition

a person who is in charge of something, especially an officer in charge of a particular group of soldiers or a military operation

In simple words: A person who is in charge of a group, especially in the military.

Examples

  • military/allied/field/flight commanders
  • the commander of the expedition
  • General Eisenhower was Supreme Allied Commander in Western Europe.
  • the commander of US forces in Iraq

Usage notes

Used mostly in military or formal contexts. 'Commander' is appropriate in discussions about ranks, leadership in armed forces, or when talking about authority. It's not commonly used in everyday conversation outside these contexts.

Grammar pattern

commander + of + group

Memory hint

Think of 'commanding' respect; a commander gives orders.

Collocations

  • senior
  • supreme
  • top
  • commander of
  • Commander-in-Chief
  • senior
  • supreme
  • top
  • commander of
  • Commander-in-Chief

Synonyms

  • leader
  • officer
  • chief
  • captain
  • director

Antonyms

  • subordinate
  • follower

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'commandant', which refers to a specific rank.
  • Using as a verb (e.g., 'to commander'), which isn't common.
  • Assuming it applies to leaders outside military contexts too often.