noun
commander-in-chief; supreme commander
A high-ranking military officer who holds overall command of a force or operation. Used in formal and historical contexts.
彼は連合軍の総司令官に任命された。
He was appointed commander-in-chief of the allied forces.
司令官 is a general commanding officer, while 総司令官 specifically denotes the supreme or overall commander, often with authority over multiple commands.
Compound of 総 (そう, 'overall') + 司令官 (しれいかん, 'commanding officer').