commander

A commander is a person who has been granted authority to lead a group, organization, or operation. The term is used both as a generic title for someone who commands and as a specific military rank in several armed forces. Its etymology traces to the Latin commandare, through Old French comander, meaning to entrust or order.

In naval and aerial services, Commander is a senior officer rank. In the United States Navy and many other navies, the rank sits above Lieutenant Commander and below Captain. Officers of this rank may command warships, submarines, air squadrons, or larger units, and may also serve as commanding officers of detachments or bases. The exact duties, insignia, and seniority vary by country and service.

Beyond formal military use, "commander" may refer to the person in charge of any operation or organization, including police, fire, or emergency services. The term is also common in fiction as a title for officers who command crews, ships, or bases. In popular culture, "Commander" appears in formats such as the multiplayer card game Magic: The Gathering, where a player leads a legendary creature deck.

See also: Command; Commanding officer.