commander-in-chief
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commander-in-chief
The person who holds the highest military rank and commands a country's entire armed forces. This person has ultimate authority over all branches of the armed forces.
Der Präsident ist in vielen Ländern zugleich der Oberbefehlshaber der Armee.
In many countries, the president is also the commander-in-chief of the army.
The word is composed of four parts: 'Ober-' (highest), 'Befehl' (command), the linking -s, and 'Haber' (someone who has something). An 'Oberbefehlshaber' (commander-in-chief) is therefore literally someone who has the highest command.
Nur der Oberbefehlshaber kann einen solchen Einsatz anordnen.
Only the commander-in-chief can order such a deployment.
The title 'Oberbefehlshaber' (commander-in-chief) is usually used with a genitive to specify what the person has command over. This structure is very typical in official contexts.
Er wurde zum Oberbefehlshaber der alliierten Streitkräfte ernannt.
He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Allied forces.
This word belongs to formal language and is used almost exclusively in a military or political context. It is not used in everyday conversation.
Die Verfassung regelt, wer der Oberbefehlshaber des Militärs ist.
The constitution regulates who is the commander-in-chief of the military.
