Meanings
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1
noun
a naval officer ranking above captain and below rear admiral
The commodore transferred his flag to the lead frigate before the exercise.
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2
noun
an officer temporarily placed in command of a squadron, convoy, or group of ships
The convoy's commodore signaled the merchant vessels to change formation.
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3
noun
the presiding or senior officer of a yacht club or boating association
The club commodore opened the regatta from the committee boat.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Through Dutch commandeur from French commandeur, 'commander,' ultimately from Latin commandare. English sailors reshaped the borrowed title into commodore. It first named an officer commanding several ships without holding admiral's rank, then became a formal rank and a title in yacht clubs.