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Synonyms

commanding officer

American  

noun

  1. Army. a commander of any rank from second lieutenant to colonel.


commanding officer British  

noun

  1. an officer in command of a military unit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of commanding officer

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

At the time, he was the commanding officer of the New York Police Department Arson & Explosion Squad, one of hundreds of first responders racing against the current of pedestrians to get to Ground Zero.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

When access to these documents was finally promised, three months later, Mathipa had a premonition that he would be murdered - according to Brig Paulina Sekgobela, his commanding officer.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

In his office, the commanding officer enlarges an image showing a swarm of speedboats carrying out such an attack.

From Barron's ● May 1, 2026

Brig Simon Ridgway, commanding officer of the Collective Training Group which delivers British Army training, added that those affected by paternity issues should engage with the Kenyan national children's service.

From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2026

After the last of the wounded were transported in, the commanding officer saluted Dr. Han, and then with one last bow, he and all his men boarded the trucks and drove off again.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

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