\Com*mand"er\, n. [Cf. F. commandeur. Cf. {Commodore},
{Commender}.]
1. A chief; one who has supreme authority; a leader; the
   chief officer of an army, or of any division of it.
         A leader and commander to the people. --Is. lv. 4.
2. (Navy) An officer who ranks next below a captain, --
   ranking with a lieutenant colonel in the army.
3. The chief officer of a commandery.
4. A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail
   lofts, etc.
{Commander in chief}, the military title of the officer who
   has supreme command of the land or naval forces or the
   united forces of a nation or state; a generalissimo. The
   President is commander in chief of the army and navy of
   the United States.
Syn: See {Chief}.