WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
com•mand•ing
(kə man′ding, -män′-),USA pronunciation adj.
com•mand′ing•ly, adv.
com•mand′ing•ness, n.
- being in command:a commanding officer.
- appreciably superior or imposing;
winning;
sizable:a commanding position; a commanding lead in the final period. - having the air, tone, etc., of command;
imposing;
authoritative:a man of commanding appearance; a commanding voice. - dominating by position, usually elevation;
overlooking:a commanding bluff at the mouth of the river. - (of a view, or prospect) provided by a commanding location and so permitting dominance:a commanding view of the mouth of the river.
- command + -ing2 1475–85
com•mand′ing•ness, n.