high commissioner
Americannoun
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a representative of one sovereign member of the Commonwealth of Nations in the country of another, having a rank and responsibilities generally similar to those of an ambassador.
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the chief of a special international commission or other organization.
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the head of government in a mandate, protectorate, possession, or the like.
noun
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the senior diplomatic representative sent by one Commonwealth country to another instead of an ambassador
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the head of an international commission
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the chief officer in a colony or other dependency
Etymology
Origin of high commissioner
First recorded in 1880–85
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.
Turk, an Austrian jurist, has served as high commissioner since October 2022.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
African governments have expressed alarm, and Ghana is planning to repatriate this week hundreds of its nationals, its high commissioner Benjamin Quashie told AFP at the weekend, admitting many had expired work permits.
From Barron's ● May 25, 2026
“This increases the risk of fuelling social disruption in Cuba,” the U.N. office of the high commissioner for human rights said in a statement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026
Former Canadian high commissioner to the UK, Jeremy Kinsman, said the intervention had been "outstanding" and Trump seems to have reduced his aggressive rhetoric.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2025
Again became high commissioner, 1888, holding the position until 1896.
From The Makers of Canada: Index and Dictionary of Canadian History by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
