Commander vs. Commodore — What's the Difference?

Commander is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces.

A commissioned rank formerly used in the US Navy that was above captain and below rear admiral. Abolished in 1899, it was restored temporarily during World War II and in the early 1980s.

A person who commands, especially a commanding officer.

One who holds this rank.

A commissioned rank in the US Navy or Coast Guard that is above lieutenant commander and below captain.

Used as an honorary title for a captain in the US Navy in command of a fleet division or squadron.

One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.

The senior captain of a naval squadron or merchant fleet.

The chief commissioned officer of a military unit regardless of rank.

The presiding officer of a yacht club.

An officer in some knightly or fraternal orders.

A naval officer holding a rank between captain and rear admiral.

One who exercises control and direction of a military or naval organization.

(nautical) A (temporary) commander over a collection of ships who is not an admiral.

A naval officer whose rank is above that of a lieutenant commander and below that of captain.

(nautical) The leading ship in a fleet of merchantmen.

One who exercises control and direction over a group of persons.

(nautical) The president of a yacht club.

A designation or rank in certain non-military organizations such as NASA and various police forces.

(nautical) A yacht-club president's vessel in a regatta.

(obsolete) The chief officer of a commandry.

A commodore admiral.

A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc.

A rear admiral (lower half).

A rank within an honorary order: e.g. Commander of the Legion of Honour.

(entomology) Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genus Parasarpa.

Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genus Moduza.

An officer who ranks next above a captain; sometimes, by courtesy, the senior captain of a squadron. The rank of commodore corresponds with that of brigadier general in the army.

A chief; one who has supreme authority; a leader; the chief officer of an army, or of any division of it.

A captain commanding a squadron, or a division of a fleet, or having the temporary rank of rear admiral.

An officer who ranks next below a captain, - ranking with a lieutenant colonel in the army.

A title given by courtesy to the senior captain of a line of merchant vessels, and also to the chief officer of a yachting or rowing club.

The chief officer of a commandery.

A familiar for the flagship, or for the principal vessel of a squadron or fleet.

A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc.

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

An officer in command of a military unit

Someone in an official position of authority who can command or control others

A commissioned naval officer who ranks above a lieutenant commander and below a captain

An officer in the airforce