commander in chief

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.

commander in chief

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

commander in chief

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of commander in chief¹

First recorded in 1635–45

Example Sentences

Mexico’s first female president also serves as military commander in chief.

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Nigeria’s president now asked if there was any way to reach and reason with America’s commander in chief, Nigerian officials said.

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Republicans maintained that the president should have full authority as commander in chief to authorize any necessary action.

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These give the commander in chief wide latitude over war powers, and both Democratic and Republican presidents have been happy to retain that power.

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The commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces has warned Russian activity is increasing around the key frontline town of Pokrovsk, saying "the situation is difficult".

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