Definition

1. Noun:
   • A commissioned naval officer rank: A commodore is a senior officer rank in some navies, positioned above a captain and below a rear admiral. It is often considered the lowest flag officer or admiral rank.
   • A title for a senior captain or leader: Historically and in civilian contexts, "commodore" can refer to the senior captain of a merchant fleet or the president of a yacht club.

Usage and Examples

• Naval Rank:

  • After decades of service, she was promoted to the rank of commodore.
  • The squadron was under the command of a newly appointed commodore.

• Civilian/Merchant Title:

  • The commodore of the shipping line made the final decision.
  • He was elected commodore of the sailing club for the upcoming season.

Advanced Usage

• "Commodore" as an honorary title: In some organizations, especially yacht clubs, "commodore" is an honorary title given to the presiding officer, often following a vice-commodore and preceding a rear-commodore in a hierarchy of club officers.
  • As commodore, her primary duty was to oversee the annual regatta.

Variants and Related Words

• Vice-Commodore (n): An officer ranking below a commodore in a club, often a deputy.
• Rear-Commodore (n): An officer ranking below a vice-commodore in a club hierarchy.
• Commodoreship (n): The office or term of a commodore.

Synonyms

• Flag Officer: A general term for a naval officer entitled to fly a flag to indicate their rank (e.g., admiral, vice admiral, rear admiral, commodore).
• Senior Captain: A term reflecting the leadership aspect in a civilian fleet.

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning of "commodore" is a naval rank. Its use in civilian contexts (like yacht clubs) is a secondary, derived meaning that borrows the nautical prestige and sense of leadership associated with the original military rank. It is not typically used as a general synonym for "leader" outside of specific nautical or organizational contexts.

Noun

1. a commissioned naval officer who ranks above a captain and below a rear admiral; the lowest grade of admiral