first mate

first mate

n. An officer on a merchant ship ranking immediately below the captain.

first mate

n (Nautical Terms) an officer second in command to the captain of a merchant ship. Also called: first officer

first′ mate′

n. the officer of a merchant vessel ranking next below the captain. Also called first officer , mate.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

first mate - the officer below the master on a commercial shipmateship's officer, officer - a person authorized to serve in a position of authority on a vessel; "he is the officer in charge of the ship's engines"