commissary

[ kom-uh-ser-ee ]

noun

, plural com·mis·sar·ies.

1. a store that sells food and supplies to the personnel or workers in a military post, mining camp, lumber camp, or the like.
2. a dining room or cafeteria, especially one in a motion-picture studio.
3. a person to whom some responsibility or role is delegated by a superior power; a deputy.
4. (in France) a police official, usually just below the police chief in rank.
5. commissar.

commissary

/ ˌkɒmɪˈsɛərɪəl; ˈkɒmɪsərɪ /

noun

1. a shop supplying food or equipment, as in a military camp
2. army an officer responsible for supplies and food
3. a snack bar or restaurant in a film studio
4. a representative or deputy, esp an official representative of a bishop

Derived Forms

• commissarial, adjective
• ˈcommissaryˌship, noun

Other Words From

• com·mis·sar·i·al [kom-i-, sair, -ee-, uh, l], adjective
• subcom·mis·sari·al adjective
• sub·commis·sary noun plural subcommissaries

Word History and Origins

Origin of commissary¹

1350–1400; Middle English commissarie (< Anglo-French ) < Medieval Latin commissārius, equivalent to Latin commiss ( us ) (past participle of committere to commit ) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of commissary¹

C14: from Medieval Latin commissārius official in charge, from Latin committere to entrust, commit

Example Sentences

Laundry service is every day and commissary prices are substantially lower.

From Washington Blade

The only food that is allowed to remain with our belongings is that which we buy at the commissary.

From Washington Blade

It is sadly a way to survive for many here who do not have a penny in the commissary to buy a piece of candy.

From Washington Blade

There will be 40 pages in each envelope after I select them, so I need a total of 20 stamps that I must buy at the commissary.

From Washington Blade

A paper attached to one of the pod’s doors announces the days and times for washing clothes, the commissary and recreation outings.

From Washington Blade

I suspect [Teresa] will get money sent in to her, so she can shop at the commissary.

From The Daily Beast

I don't recall ever seeing him in the commissary, and who would forget?

From The Daily Beast

To cook the macaroni the commissary sold hotpots, which you needed a permit to possess and could only buy one a time.

From The Daily Beast

One of the strangest parts of the show, is the power the commissary has over inmates lives.

From The Daily Beast

Adam Davidson takes a look at this little corner of the real estate market – the prison commissary.

From The Daily Beast

During the revolutionary war he was commissary-general to the Pennsylvania division, and printer to congress.

From Project Gutenberg

Haggard had a long interview with Fanchette, and then he called upon the Commissary of Police.

From Project Gutenberg

"'Amadis de Gaule,' by the Seigneur des Essarts, commissary in ordinary to the king's artillery," she replied.

From Project Gutenberg

Commissary's inkstand was a coffee-cup without an handle, and his book of entries a quire of dirty writing-paper.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon leaving the Commissary, our wheel-barrow was again put in motion, and accompanied us to Dessein's.

From Project Gutenberg