lieutenant commander

American  

noun

U.S. Navy.

1. a commissioned officer ranking next below a commander and next above a lieutenant.

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lieutenant commander British  

noun

1. an officer holding commissioned rank in certain navies immediately junior to a commander

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Etymology

Origin of lieutenant commander

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

He also served in the Korean War in the 1950s and reached the rank of lieutenant commander.

From Los Angeles Times

The South African National Defense Force, which comprises all the armed forces, said a female officer with the rank of lieutenant commander was among the three who died.

From Seattle Times

Biden was ending the trip at the John Sidney McCain III Memorial near where, as a 31-year-old Navy lieutenant commander, his Skyhawk dive bomber was shot down by the North Vietnamese.

From Seattle Times

It took at least 10 years for Bartindale to go from lieutenant commander in the Navy to outdoor bookseller in Ojai.

From Los Angeles Times

Suddenly, the lieutenant commander was thrust into making frantic preparations, his retirement plans scuppered.

From New York Times