commando

[ kuh-man-doh, -mahn- ]

noun

, plural com·man·dos, com·man·does.

1. (in World War II )
   1. any of the specially trained Allied military units used for surprise, hit-and-run raids against Axis forces.
   2. a member of any of these units. Compare ranger ( def 3 ).
2. any military unit organized for operations similar to those of the commandos of World War II.
3. a member of a military assault unit or team trained to operate quickly and aggressively in especially urgent, threatening situations, as against terrorists holding hostages.

commando

/ kəˈmɑːndəʊ /

noun

1. 1. an amphibious military unit trained for raiding
   2. a member of such a unit
2. the basic unit of the Royal Marine Corps
3. (originally) an armed force raised by Boers during the Boer War
4. modifier denoting or relating to a commando or force of commandos

   a commando unit

   a commando raid

adverb

1. go commando informal.
   to wear no underpants

Word History and Origins

Origin of commando¹

First recorded in 1785–95; from Afrikaans kommando “raid, raiding party, a unit of militia,” from Portuguese commando “unit commanded,” noun derivative of commandar “to command ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of commando¹

C19: from Afrikaans kommando, from Dutch commando command, from French commander to command

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go commando, Slang. to wear pants, shorts, a skirt, etc., with no underwear.

Example Sentences

The Israeli military gave limited details on the operation but said the unit involved was Shayetet 13, a marine commando unit specialising in sea-to-land incursions.

From BBC

The father of seven, believed to have been hit by shrapnel, was among more than 70 people killed during an Israeli commando operation to rescue two hostages held by Hamas in Rafah.

From BBC

Hezbollah said on Thursday evening that its fighters had “repelled failed attempts” by Israeli commandos to advance into some border villages during the day.

From BBC

Hezbollah said its fighters had fired ani-tank missiles at Israeli commandos, killing and wounding dozens during clashes early on Wednesday in one border village.

From BBC

The New York Times earlier reported that Israeli commando units had already made brief incursions into Lebanese territory to prepare for a possible wider invasion.

From BBC

Related Words

• fighter
• guard
• guerrilla
• marine
• mercenary
• officer
• paratrooper
• pilot
• trooper
• veteran
• volunteer