commissary
Americannoun
-
a store that sells food and supplies to the personnel or workers in a military post, mining camp, lumber camp, or the like.
-
a dining room or cafeteria, especially one in a motion-picture studio.
-
a person to whom some responsibility or role is delegated by a superior power; a deputy.
-
(in France) a police official, usually just below the police chief in rank.
noun
-
a shop supplying food or equipment, as in a military camp
-
army an officer responsible for supplies and food
-
a snack bar or restaurant in a film studio
-
a representative or deputy, esp an official representative of a bishop
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of commissary
1350–1400; Middle English commissarie (< Anglo-French ) < Medieval Latin commissārius, equivalent to Latin commiss ( us ) (past participle of committere to commit ) + -ārius -ary
Explanation
A commissary is a food and supply store for employees. On military bases, soldiers and their families shop in a commissary. The original commissaries were the military ones, from an earlier meaning of the word, "military official in charge of food supplies and transport." Today, many workplaces have commissaries where employees can buy prepared food, provisions, and sometimes equipment. Some factory laborers, miners, incarcerated people, and office workers shop at commissaries. And since Hollywood movie studios first opened in the early 20th century, they operated cafeterias on their lots, known as commissaries, for their employees.
Vocabulary lists containing commissary
Punching Bag
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Red Car to Hollywood
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
In the Country We Love
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’ll go to the good old boys at Commissary.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
The recall of the Russ’ Commissary products was initiated when the company told the Food Safety and Inspection Service that the ready-to-eat salads used Revolution Farms lettuce.
From Washington Times • Apr. 11, 2023
At Commissary, a popular restaurant with outdoor seating on P Street NW, a sign on the door indicated the business was still closed temporarily.
From Washington Post • May 29, 2020
The roasted carrots from Commissary make an appearance, as do the short rib tacos from Kogi and some hot pots from Pot.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2018
If at any time it should seem advisable to make any change in this scale, the circumstances will be reported to the Commissary General of Prisoners for his consideration.
From Martyria or Andersonville Prison by Hamlin, Augustus C.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
