first mate Get Printable Handwriting Hear It! Say It! Write It! Learn It! Spelling Test Definition noun. the officer of a merchant vessel next in command beneath the captain Example Sentence The first mate delivered the captain's orders to the sailors. Spelled as 2 words Synonyms first officer; mate; chief officer; chief mate Antonyms passenger Hear It! Say It! Write It! first mate Switch to cursive Start Share with your friends: