commodore

American  

[kom-uh-dawr, -dohr] / ˈkɒm əˌdɔr, -ˌdoʊr /

noun

1. Navy. a grade of flag officer next in rank below a rear admiral.

2. British Navy. an officer in temporary command of a squadron, sometimes over a captain on the same ship.

3. Navy. the senior captain when two or more ships of war are cruising in company.

4. (in the U.S. Navy and Merchant Marine) the officer in command of a convoy.

5. the senior captain of a line of merchant vessels.

6. the president or head of a yacht club or boat club.

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commodore British  

/ ˈkɒməˌdɔː /

noun

1. a naval rank junior to rear admiral and senior to captain

2. the senior captain of a shipping line

3. the officer in command of a convoy of merchant ships

4. the senior flag office of a yacht or boat club

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Etymology

Origin of commodore

1685–95; earlier commandore, perhaps < Dutch komandeur < French commandeur commander