n.1 a person who commands, esp.: a a naval officer next in rank below captain. b wing commander.
2 an officer in charge of a London police district.
3 (in full knight commander) a member of a higher class in some orders of knighthood.
4 a large wooden mallet.
Phrases and idioms:
commander-in-chief the supreme commander, esp. of a nation's forces. Commander of the Faithful a title of a Caliph.
Derivatives:
commandership n.
Etymology: ME f. OF comandere, -e{ouml}r f. Rmc (as COMMAND)