Definition

1. Noun:
   • The supreme commander of a nation's military forces: The "commander in chief" is the highest-ranking officer who holds ultimate authority and responsibility for a country's armed forces. This role involves strategic decision-making and overall command.

Usage

• The term is used as a formal title for the individual constitutionally vested with the supreme command of a military.
• It is typically used in governmental, military, and historical contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The President, as commander in chief, authorized the deployment of troops.
  • The constitution designates the civilian head of state as the commander in chief.

Advanced Usage

• "powers of the commander in chief": Refers to the specific legal and executive authorities granted to the supreme military commander.
  • The debate centered on the limits of the president's powers as commander in chief.

Variants and Related Words

• Commander-in-Chief: A common hyphenated variant of the term.
• Supreme Commander: A near-synonymous title, though "commander in chief" often implies a specific constitutional or legal role within a government.

Synonyms

• Supreme commander
• Chief of command

Related Phrases

• Role of commander in chief: Pertaining to the duties and responsibilities of the position.
  • The book analyzes the evolving role of commander in chief throughout American history.

Noun

1. the officer who holds the supreme command
   • in the U.S. the president is the commander in chief