commissioned officer

American  

noun

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

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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

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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.

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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

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

From New York Times • Jan. 11, 2024

He did attend the military academy then — just after Robert E. Lee and before Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman — with the intention of becoming a commissioned officer in the Army.

From Washington Post • Jan. 19, 2023

It remains unclear how much staffing will be in the new division and if it will be led by a commissioned officer or other staff.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 8, 2022

Scheller faces at Thursday’s scheduled court-martial at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, include disrespect toward superior commissioned officers, willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, and dereliction in the performance of duties.

From Washington Times • Oct. 12, 2021

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