commander in chief

American  

noun

plural

commanders in chief

1. Also Commander in Chief the supreme commander of the armed forces of a nation or, sometimes, of several allied nations.

   The president is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force.

2. an officer in command of a particular portion of an armed force who has been given this title by specific authorization.

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commander in chief British  

noun

1. the officer holding supreme command of the forces in an area or operation

2. the officer holding command of a major subdivision of one military service

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commander in chief Cultural  

1. The role of the United States president as highest ranking officer in the armed forces. The Constitution provides this power, but, through the system of checks and balances, gives Congress the authority to declare war. During periods of war, presidents such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, George H. W. Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, and George W. Bush have taken active roles as commander in chief.

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Etymology

Origin of commander in chief

First recorded in 1635–45

Example Sentences

The military is subordinate to its civilian commander in chief, and as chairman of the Joint Chiefs, he has no direct command of battlefield forces.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

In 1947, Harry S. Truman became the first U.S. commander in chief to visit Mexico City.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

Yet as commander in chief, wisely comprehending that no war to save the Union could be waged, much less won, exclusively by Republicans, Lincoln sought out Democrats to help battle secession.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

The pledge came as more than 3,000 troops and police in uniform filed past Venezuela's first female leader and commander in chief.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Despite his pain, he was trying to stand up and salute the wife of his commander in chief.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama