commandant

[ kom-uhn-dant, -dahnt, kom-uhn-dant, -dahnt ]

noun

1. the commanding officer of a place, group, etc.:

   the commandant of a naval base.

2. the title of the senior officer and head of the U.S. Marine Corps.
3. U.S. Army. a title generally given to the heads of military schools.
4. a commander.

commandant

/ ˈkɒmənˌdænt; -ˌdɑːnt /

noun

1. an officer commanding a place, group, or establishment

Word History and Origins

Origin of commandant¹

1680–90; < French, noun use of present participle of commander to command; -ant

Example Sentences

Stuart Scheller expressed “contempt” that the defense secretary, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and commandant of the Marine Corps executed the president’s directive to withdraw from Afghanistan.

From Washington Post

Bridging the gap between the two, Yeager went on to train 19 astronauts while he was commandant of the Air Force’s Aerospace Research Pilot School from 1962 to 1966.

From Popular-Science

“In the camp no-one knows themselves,” muses the monstrous commandant.

From The Daily Beast

We believe that we may be close to such an impasse, and we want to present the Commandant with options.

From The Daily Beast

He is a graduate of the Kakul academy and was also its commandant at one point in his career.

From The Daily Beast

He was previously deputy commandant for combat development and integration.

From The Daily Beast

He also wrote to the Commandant Coast Guards, identifying obvious vulnerabilities.

From The Daily Beast

The Commandant was to take over the offices, staff, and functions of the late Civil Governor.

From Project Gutenberg

October 15, 1612, he was formally appointed commandant in New France.

From Project Gutenberg

As his reward the Minister of War promoted him colonel and commandant of the second regiment of horse artillery.

From Project Gutenberg

Randolph himself was very sorely bested, but he succeeded in killing the commandant; whereupon the garrison gave in.

From Project Gutenberg

The projection of land fixed upon for the site of a town, was named after the commandant (Captain Barlow).

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• administrator
• boss
• commander
• director
• guru
• instructor
• judge
• manager
• owner
• ruler
• teacher