commando — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A small fighting force specially trained for making quick destructive raids against enemy-held areas.

   Examples

   The most important objective was at Batna itself, where a group of three commandos each comprising ten men was to attack Deleplanque's sub-prefecture […].

2. A commando trooper.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Ben Grant, 30, who spent more than five years as a commando in the Royal Marines, is part of group of seven ex-servicemen who arrived in Ukraine over the weekend to fight invading Russian forces.

3. An organized force of Boer troops in South Africa; a raid by such troops.

   Usage

   • Historical

Noun

1. a member of a military unit trained as shock troops for hit-and-run raids

   Synonyms

   ranger

   Broader terms

   military personnel

2. an amphibious military unit trained for raids into enemy territory

   Broader terms

   military unitmilitary forcemilitary groupforce