chain of command

noun phrase

: a series of executive positions in order of authority

a military chain of command

Examples of chain of command in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fields said she was reassigned after taking her concerns beyond her direct chain of command, and ultimately resigned. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Whether or not Hal was right to entice Zoe (upon whose shoulders the carnage ultimately falls), his decision to circumvent the Guardians’ chain of command is what ultimately leads to countless deaths and his imprisonment for reckless endangerment. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Warfighters will sleep better knowing that no private company will insert their opinions in the chain of command. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026

The Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry would cease as institutions, but their units would keep their chain of command under civilian authority. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chain of command

• analysand
• misunderstand
• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand