lieutenant commander

noun

, U.S. Navy.

1. a commissioned officer ranking next below a commander and next above a lieutenant.

lieutenant commander

noun

1. an officer holding commissioned rank in certain navies immediately junior to a commander

Word History and Origins

Origin of lieutenant commander¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

For another, the governor has a gold-plated resume that includes legislative experience from a stint in Congress, degrees from Yale University and Harvard Law School, and even military service as a former lieutenant commander in the Navy.

From The Daily Beast

Smith, a lieutenant commander, is playing SEC football 11 years after he walked on at Notre Dame.

From Washington Post

A lieutenant commander in the Navy, he was knock-out handsome with a smile that would melt a glacier.

From The Daily Beast

To such a man as Lieutenant-Commander Tipping, however, the call of the sea may quite understandably have been imperative.

From Project Gutenberg

His mates assisted him to do this by rubbing his face on the iron deck before the Lieutenant-Commander's feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Young Lieutenant Commander Gilbertson gave her a somewhat jaundiced look.

From Project Gutenberg

You and your crew behaved splendidly, lieutenant-commander, best traditions, and all that sort of thing.

From Project Gutenberg

"I would call it very simple," replied Lieutenant Commander Wales.

From Project Gutenberg