ˈkäməˌdō(ə)r, -dȯ(ə)r, -dōə, -dȯ(ə) noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably modification of Dutch commandeur commander, from French, from Old French comandeor, from comander to command + -eor -or — more at command
1. : a naval officer usually ranking next above a captain and below a rear admiral:
a. : a captain holding this rank temporarily while commanding a detached squadron or division of a fleet — used in the British navy
b.
(1) : a captain in command of a squadron as senior officer — used in the United States Navy as a courtesy title prior to 1862
(2) : a naval officer commanding a squadron, division, ship of the first class, or naval station and having a rank corresponding to that of brigadier general in the army — used in the United States Navy 1862-99 and during World War II
(3) : a naval captain with Civil War service receiving the rank upon retirement
(4) : a naval officer of the rank of captain or below commanding a squadron, division, or other subdivision of a fleet especially when consisting of small ships (as destroyers) — used only as a courtesy form of address
2.
a. : the officer commanding a body of merchant ships sailing in company especially in a convoy
the convoy commodore … sees to the internal management of the convoy — J.P.Bishop
b. : the ranking captain of the fleet operated by a particular shipping company
3. : the chief officer of a yacht club or boating association
4. : air commodore