chain of command

American  

noun

1. a series of administrative or military ranks, positions, etc., in which each has direct authority over the one immediately below.

---

Etymology

Origin of chain of command

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The procedure seems obvious now, but it established a chain of command that had previously varied from venue to venue.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

It combines three special investigations bureaus from each of the three military branches into one, removing them from any direct chain of command.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

"The chain of command within Iran's armed forces is unclear," said Farhad Mammadov, head of the Baku-based South Caucasus Studies Center.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

“I mean, I probably should have gone up the chain of command and asked the landlord’s permission, but I knew it was going to come out amazing,” Lopez said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Often, without thinking, he would go down half the chain of command before his prayers would take another form.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• bureaucracy
• hierarchy
• network
• structure