To command is to give an order that you expect to be obeyed. It can also mean to control or have authority over people or things.
From Old French *commander*, from Latin *commandare* “to commit to, entrust with,” from *com-* “together” + *mandare* “to order, to put into someone’s hands.” The sense shifted from entrusting responsibility to giving authoritative orders.
Originally, to command was to hand someone a responsibility, not just bark orders. That’s why a person in command is both the one who orders others and the one who carries the weight of what happens.
Concepts of 'command' and authority have historically been associated with male military and political leaders, while women's leadership has been minimized or framed as exceptional. Language of 'commanding presence' often reflects gendered expectations about who is allowed to be authoritative.
Use 'command' for authority roles without assuming the leader is male; avoid defaulting to 'he' or male-coded examples when describing someone in command.
["lead","direct","oversee"]
Women have exercised command in military, political, and organizational contexts throughout history, even when formal titles or records obscured their leadership.
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