commissioned officer

American  

noun

1. a military or naval officer holding rank by commission.

---

commissioned officer British  

noun

1. a military officer holding a commission, such as Second Lieutenant in the British Army, Acting Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force, and officers of all ranks senior to these

---

commissioned officer Cultural  

1. An officer of a country's armed services whose rank is confirmed by a government document (a commission). In many countries, including the United States, commissioned officers in the navy are those of the rank of ensign and above, and in the army and air force those of the rank of lieutenant and above.

---

Discover More

Commissioned officers are contrasted with enlisted men and women, such as privates, corporals, and sergeants, or ordinary seamen and petty officers.

Etymology

Origin of commissioned officer

First recorded in 1675–85

Compare meaning

How does commissioned-officer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• warrant officer vs. commissioned officer

Example Sentences

“Alien” marks the first appearance of Ellen Ripley, a commissioned officer managing the crew of the commercial tug Nostromo on behalf of an entity only identified as The Company.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2025

Nikki Haley’s husband, a commissioned officer in the U.S.

From New York Times • Jan. 11, 2024

To close the gap, the study said the administration should appoint Black Americans to open commissioned officer positions.

From Washington Post • Sep. 12, 2022

The first woman to serve as a commissioned officer on the ship was Lt.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 4, 2022

A telegraphed order to the commander of the Sixteenth New York Cavalry ordered a commissioned officer, Lieutenant Edward P. Doherty, to report to Luther Byron Baker.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson