commissary

noun

com·​mis·​sary ˈkä-mə-ˌser-ē How to pronounce commissary (audio)
-ˌse-rē
plural commissaries
Synonyms of commissary
1
: one delegated by a superior to execute a duty or an office
2
a
: a store for equipment and provisions
especially : a supermarket for military personnel
b
: food supplies
c
: a lunchroom especially in a movie studio
commissarial
ˌkä-mə-ˈsär-ē-əl How to pronounce commissary (audio)
-ˈser-
adjective

Synonyms of commissary

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Examples of commissary in a Sentence

will serve as commissary of religious education for the whole diocese
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Netflix honcho had met with HBO chief Casey Bloys multiple times this year, including a very public one at Superba, the airy restaurant on Sunset near the Netflix offices that also serves as the streamer’s unofficial commissary. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 The ​attacks resemble disruptions reported at about a ⁠dozen US military commissaries in late August that led to food losses after fridges were affected. — CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2026 The men shared ramen and cookies from the commissary, gave cups and bowls to newcomers and paid for phone minutes for detainees to call their families. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026 His attorneys are asking the court to order payment of the Age-30 Distribution — including growth earned while it was withheld — and to instruct the successor trustee to fund Reiner’s commissary account. — Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commissary

Word History

Etymology

Middle English commissarie, borrowed from Anglo-French commissaire, commissarie, borrowed from Medieval Latin commissārius, from Latin commissus (past participle of committere "to join together, engage, place in the keeping of, entrust, bring about") + -ārius -ary entry 1 — more at commit

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of commissary was in 1555

Rhymes for commissary

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Browse Nearby Words

commissariot
commissary
commissary court
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Cite this Entry

“Commissary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commissary. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

commissary

noun
com·​mis·​sary ˈkäm-ə-ˌser-ē How to pronounce commissary (audio)
plural commissaries
1
: a person to whom a duty or office is entrusted by someone of higher rank
2
: a store that provides supplies (as food) especially to members of the military and their families
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