commander-in-chief

A commander-in-chief (sometimes called a supreme commander or supreme commander-in-chief) is the person who exercises supreme command and control over an armed force or a military branch. As a technical term, it refers to military competencies that reside in a country's executive leadership, a head of state, head of government, or other designated government official.

The title used for this highest command authority varies by country and language. Generally speaking, English-speaking countries favor the title "Commander-in-chief", while French-speaking countries favor "Chief of armies" (); most continental European countries use the term "Supreme Commander"; while the Soviet Union, and consequently the post-soviet states, use "Supreme commander-in-chief" (). In those countries where the title "commander-in-chief" is not in use for the military's highest commander, it may nonetheless be in use for high-ranking military officers; for example, in the case of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the supreme commander-in-chief is the president of Ukraine, while the commander-in-chief is its professional head.