commodore Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a commissioned naval officer who ranks above a captain and below a rear admiral; the lowest grade of admiral

WordNet

Com"mo*dore` noun
Etymology
Prob. a corruption of commander, or Sp. comendador a knight of a military order who holds a commandery; also a superior of a monastery;, fr. LL. commendare to command. Cf. Commend, Command, Commander.
Definitions
  1. (U. S. Navy) An officer who ranks next above a captain; sometimes, by courtesy, the senior captain of a squadron. The rank of commodore corresponds with that of brigadier general in the army.
  2. (Brititsh Navy) A captain commanding a squadron, or a division of a fleet, or having the temporary rank of rear admiral.
  3. A title given courtesy to the senior captain of a line of merchant vessels, and also to the chief officer of a yachting or rowing club.
  4. A familiar for the flagchip, or for the principal vessel of a squadron or fleet.

Webster 1913