kəˈmandə(r), -maan-, -man- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English comander, comandour, from Old French comandeor, from comander + -eor -or
1. : one in an official position of command or control: as
a. : the chief officer in command of a military force or unit
b. : a naval executive officer in command of a ship, station, or installation
c. : a senior naval officer ranking just below a captain and above a lieutenant commander
d. : the administrator or chief officer of a commandery in a medieval religious military order
e. : the presiding officer of certain societies (as the Knights Templars) at the local, regional, or national level — used especially in secret orders and veterans' organizations
f. : the ranking officer (as a lieutenant or captain) in charge of a division, a district, a precinct, or a squad in certain metropolitan police departments
g. : the officer in charge of a fire company in certain fire departments
2. : a heavy beetle or wooden mallet : rammer
3. : a member of one of the higher grades or divisions in certain honorary orders of knighthood (as the French Legion of Honor)