A commando is a group of soldiers who have been specially trained to carry out surprise attacks.
...a small commando of marines. [+ of]
The hostages were freed in the commando raid.
2. countable noun
A commando is a soldier who is a member of a commando.
Captain David Clement and 150 commandos stormed the port this morning.
commando in British English
(kəˈmɑːndəʊ)
nounWord forms: plural-dos or -does
1.
a.
an amphibious military unit trained for raiding
b.
a member of such a unit
2.
the basic unit of the Royal Marine Corps
3.
(originally) an armed force raised by Boers during the Boer War
4. (modifier)
denoting or relating to a commando or force of commandos
a commando raid
a commando unit
adverb
5. go commando
Word origin
C19: from Afrikaans kommando, from Dutch commando command, from French commander to command
commando in American English
(kəˈmændoʊ; kəˈmɑndoʊ)
nounWord forms: pluralcomˈmandos or comˈmandoes
1. Obsolete
a.
in South Africa, a force of Boer troops
b.
a raid or expedition made by such troops
2.
a.
a small raiding force trained to operate inside territory held by the enemy
b.
a member of such a group
Word origin
Afrik < Port, lit., party commanded < commandar, to govern, command < VL *commandare, command
Examples of 'commando' in a sentence
commando
Special forces commandos melted into the jungle around the planned rendezvous.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The photographic branch deploys snappers with warships and commando units all over the world.
The Sun (2013)
By the looks of things most go commando just for the thrill of it.
The Sun (2014)
My whole philosophy with my people is that we see ourselves as a commando unit.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
French commando unit charged with rescuing the hostages.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Not until they get rid of the tape and let you go cross-country commando.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Maybe next campaign they'll go commando.
The Sun (2009)
Going commando does have its advantages, it would appear.
The Sun (2011)
The Vietnamese gave me terrific confidence to go up against the big battalions as a small commando unit.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
A second commando unit stormed the house, killing a gardener and another guard.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
When we play a show, it's like a commando raid.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That means 24-hour protection from ten armed commandos with an escort vehicle - all courtesy of the taxpayer.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They were rushed to a waiting transport plane and less than an hour after the raid began the commandos and the rescued passengers took off for Nairobi.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The gear, potentially the future of combat wear, enables soldiers and commandos to charge their kit on the move.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
commando
British English: commando NOUN
A commando is a group of soldiers who have been specially trained to carry out surprise attacks.