commander in chief

noun

, plural commanders in chief.

1. Also Commander in Chief. the supreme commander of the armed forces of a nation or, sometimes, of several allied nations:

   The president is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force.

2. an officer in command of a particular portion of an armed force who has been given this title by specific authorization.

commander in chief

noun

1. the officer holding supreme command of the forces in an area or operation
2. the officer holding command of a major subdivision of one military service

commander in chief

1. The role of the United States president as highest ranking officer in the armed forces. The Constitution provides this power, but, through the system of checks and balances , gives Congress the authority to declare war. During periods of war, presidents such as Franklin D. Roosevelt , Lyndon Johnson , George H. W. Bush , William Jefferson Clinton , and George W. Bush have taken active roles as commander in chief.

Word History and Origins

Origin of commander in chief¹

First recorded in 1635–45

Example Sentences

Philip Breedlove, NATO commander-in-chief, says this represents a shift, "from engagement to preparedness."

From The Daily Beast

I am also aware, however, that the average Supreme Court justice or federal judge serves far longer than the Commander-in-Chief.

From The Daily Beast

Though the commander-in-chief should delegate as much as possible, wartime relationships matter.

From The Daily Beast

For this raid, Mavrokordato anointed him, rather ridiculously, Archistrategos or commander-in-chief of Western Greece.

From The Daily Beast

As he revealed his inner commander-in-chief and mounted a confident run, Hollande was transformed.

From The Daily Beast

The commander-in-chief still kept him attached to the headquarter staff, and constantly employed him on special service.

From Project Gutenberg

So far Murat had always held subordinate commands; his great ambition was to become the commander-in-chief of an independent army.

From Project Gutenberg

As commander-in-chief, Bonaparte, for the time being, held the whip hand and could show his dislike by severe reprimands.

From Project Gutenberg

Doing so, I received a different sort of salute from that to which a Commander-in-Chief landing on duty is entitled by regulation.

From Project Gutenberg

The commander-in-chief overrated the fighting qualities of the Neapolitan troops and thought it prudent to evacuate Rome.

From Project Gutenberg