noun
commissary
KOM-ih-sree
Commissary (noun) means a store that sells food and supplies to people in an institution, such as soldiers or prisoners. Example: “Inmates can buy snacks and toiletries from the prison commissary.”
noun
1
A store that sells food and supplies to people in an institution, such as soldiers or prisoners.
"Inmates can buy snacks and toiletries from the prison commissary."
2
A cafeteria on a film or television studio lot.
"The actors grabbed lunch at the studio commissary between takes."
How to use commissary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA store or cafeteria that serves people within a specific institution, such as a prison, base, or film studio.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
prison commissary
studio commissary
commissary funds
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Word forms
- Plural
- commissaries
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Inmates can buy snacks and toiletries from the prison _____.
Etymology
From Late Latin commissarius, from committere ("to entrust") — a doublet of "commissar."
Rhymes for commissary
See all rhymes for commissary →Frequently asked questions
What does “commissary” mean?
The word “commissary” means a store that sells food and supplies to people in an institution, such as soldiers or prisoners. In plain terms, a store or cafeteria that serves people within a specific institution, such as a prison, base, or film studio.
How do you pronounce “commissary”?
“Commissary” is pronounced KOM-ih-sree (/ˈkɑ.mɪˌsɛɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “commissary” in a sentence?
Here is “commissary” used in a sentence: “Inmates can buy snacks and toiletries from the prison commissary.”
What part of speech is “commissary”?
“Commissary” is a noun.
Where does the word “commissary” come from?
The word “commissary” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin commissarius, from committere ("to entrust") — a doublet of "commissar.".
How many meanings does “commissary” have?
“Commissary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a store that sells food and supplies to people in an institution, such as soldiers or prisoners.
