commandant

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the officer in charge of a military unit, fort, camp, school, prison, or district

   The commandant inspected the garrison before granting the travelers permission to pass.

2. 2
   noun

   a military rank equivalent to major or lieutenant colonel in some countries

   She was promoted to commandant after completing the staff course.

Borrowed from French commandant, the present participle of commander, 'to command,' ultimately from Latin commandare, a variant of commendare, 'to entrust or order.' English uses the title for an officer controlling a military establishment or district and, in some armed forces, for a specific rank.

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