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Lieutenant vs Commander - What's the difference?

lieutenant | commander |

As nouns the difference between lieutenant and commander

is that lieutenant is the lowest commissioned officer rank or ranks in many military forces while commander is one who exercises control and direction of a military or naval organization.

As an adjective lieutenant

is a military grade that is junior to the grade the adjective modifies: lieutenant colonel, lieutenant general, lieutenant commander.

lieutenant

English

Alternative forms

* (all obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (military) The lowest commissioned officer rank or ranks in many military forces.
  • # (military, US) In the US Army, Air Force and Marines, second lieutenant is the rank below first lieutenant, which is below captain. Both ranks may be referred to as Lieutenant or as the complete forms of the ranks.
  • # (military, US, navy) A naval officer whose rank is above that of ensign in the United States Navy and below that of a lieutenant commander. There are two ranks of lieutenant: lieutenant junior grade and lieutenant.
  • # (military, US) A commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard, Public Health Service, or National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration whose rank is above that of ensign and below lieutenant commander. There are two ranks of lieutenant: lieutenant junior grade and lieutenant.
  • # (military, British) A naval officer in the Royal Navy who holds the rank above sub-lieutenant and below lieutenant commander.
  • # (military, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) A naval officer who holds the rank above sub-lieutenant and below lieutenant commander.
  • A person who executes the plans and directives of another.

    • Synonyms

    * (military) , lieut , Lieut (abbreviation)

    Usage notes

    When used as a title, it is always capitalized. * Example: Lieutenant Anne Ward. The rank of lieutenant corresponds to pay grade O-3 in the US Navy, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, and National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration.

    Derived terms

    * first lieutenant * second lieutenant * third lieutenant * fourth lieutenant * fifth lieutenant * junior lieutenant * senior lieutenant * lieutenant commander * lieutenant captain * lieutenant colonel * lieutenant general * lieutenant admiral * lieutenant marshal * lieutenant senior grade * lieutenant junior grade * bevret lieutenant * captain lieutenant * desk lieutenant * flag lieutenant * shift lieutenant * staff lieutenant * sublieutenant

    See also

    * subaltern

    Adjective

    (-)
  • A military grade that is junior to the grade the adjective modifies: lieutenant colonel'', ''lieutenant general'', ''lieutenant commander .

    • commander

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who exercises control and direction of a military or naval organization.
  • A naval officer whose rank is above that of a lieutenant commander and below that of captain.
  • One who exercises control and direction over a group of persons.
  • A designation or rank in certain non-military organizations such as NASA and various police forces.
  • (obsolete) The chief officer of a commandry.
  • A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc.
  • A rank within an honorary order: e.g. Commander of the Legion of Honour.