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

McCain, who died of brain cancer in 2018, was a Navy lieutenant commander who was shot down during the Vietnam War in 1967.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2023

Before departing, Biden visited the John Sidney McCain III Memorial near the site where, as a 31-year-old Navy lieutenant commander, McCain’s Skyhawk dive bomber was shot down by the North Vietnamese.

From Washington Times • Sep. 11, 2023

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 • Sep. 10, 2023

He left with the rank of lieutenant commander.

From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2022

“He’s a lieutenant commander in the Navy,” Ginnie said.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger