Phrase guide

chain of command

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A system used in organizations, especially in the military, that defines a clear line of authority and responsibility.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: also

Topics: business, government, military, politics, war

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: command hierarchy

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

27 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Belarusian: ланцуг камандавання (lancuh kamandavannja) — a system used in the military
  • Chinese Mandarin: 指揮系統 /指挥系统 (zhǐhuī xìtǒng) — a system used in the military
  • Danish: kommandovej — a system used in the military
  • Dutch: commandostructuur — a system used in the military
  • Estonian: käsuliin — a system used in the military
  • Finnish: komentoketju — a system used in the military
  • French: chaîne de commandement — a system used in the military
  • Georgian: ინსტანციათა ჯაჭვი (insṭanciata ǯač̣vi) — a system used in the military
  • Georgian: სამეთაურო ჯაჭვი (sametauro ǯač̣vi) — a system used in the military
  • Georgian: სამეთაურო იერარქია (sametauro ierarkia) — a system used in the military
  • Georgian: დაქვემდებარების რიგი (dakvemdebarebis rigi) — a system used in the military
  • Georgian: დაქვემდებარების წესი (dakvemdebarebis c̣esi) — a system used in the military
  • Georgian: სამეთაურო ინსტანციები (sametauro insṭanciebi) — a system used in the military
  • Georgian: სამეთაურო სუბორდინაცია (sametauro subordinacia) — a system used in the military
  • German: Befehlskette — a system used in the military
  • German: Dienstweg — a system used in the military
  • Indonesian: rantai komando — a system used in the military
  • Italian: catena di comando — a system used in the military
  • Malay: rantaian perintah — a system used in the military
  • Polish: hierarchia służbowa — a system used in the military
  • Portuguese: cadeia de comando — a system used in the military
  • Spanish: cadena de mando — a system used in the military
  • Swedish: befälsordning — a system used in the military
  • Swedish: tjänsteväg — a system used in the military
  • Turkish: emir komuta zinciri — a system used in the military
  • Turkish: komuta zinciri — a system used in the military
  • Vietnamese: chuỗi chỉ huy — a system used in the military