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.
Com*mand"er*ship, n. The office of a commander.
Com*mand"er*y (?), n.; pl. Commanderies (#). [F. commanderie.] 1. The office or rank of a commander. [Obs.]
2. A district or a manor with lands and tenements appertaining thereto, under the control of a member of an order of knights who was called a commander; -- called also a preceptory.
3. An assembly or lodge of Knights Templars (so called) among the Freemasons. [U. S.]
4. A district under the administration of a military commander or governor. [R.] Brougham.
Com*mand"ing, a. 1. Exercising authority; actually in command; as, a commanding officer.