commandeer

UK: /ˌkɒmənˈdɪə^r/ US: /ˌkɑmənˈdɪr/ ,(kom′ən dēr′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

com•man•deer /ˌkɑmənˈdɪr/   v. [~ + object]

1. Military to seize (private property) for military or other public use:
   The military commandeered all the jeeps.
2. to seize or take unfairly:
   He commandeered the best office furniture for his own use.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

com•man•deer  (kom′ən dēr′), v.t. 

1. Military to order or force into active military service.
2. Military to seize (private property) for military or other public use:
   The police officer commandeered a taxi and took off after the getaway car.
3. to seize arbitrarily.

• French commander to command
• Afrikaans kommandeer
• 1880–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

commandeer / ˌkɒmənˈdɪə/ verb (transitive)

1. to seize for public or military use
2. to seize arbitrarily

Etymology: 19th Century: from Afrikaans kommandeer, from French commander to command