cavalry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, historical, military, idiomatic
Quick answer
What does “cavalry” mean?
Soldiers who fight on horseback or, in modern contexts, highly mobile soldiers in armored vehicles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Soldiers who fight on horseback or, in modern contexts, highly mobile soldiers in armored vehicles.
A source of help or rescue in a difficult situation, often arriving dramatically or at the last moment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The idiomatic usage is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Both share historical/military and rescue connotations. The term evokes tradition, mobility, and decisive intervention.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both, though more common in countries with a strong historical military tradition.
Grammar
How to Use “cavalry” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] cavalry [VERBed] the flank.They were rescued by the cavalry.We need to call in the cavalry.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cavalry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The general decided to cavalry the regiment across the open plain, a risky manoeuvre.
American English
- They planned to cavalry the reinforcements to the hotspot via helicopter.
adjective
British English
- He wore a traditional cavalry tunic for the ceremony.
American English
- The cavalry tactics employed were decisive for the battle's outcome.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically to describe a team or resource brought in to solve a critical problem, e.g., 'The consultants were the cavalry we needed to save the project.'
Academic
Used in historical and military studies to discuss tactics, unit composition, and the evolution of warfare.
Everyday
Used idiomatically to express hope for help or relief in a difficult situation, e.g., 'I'm buried in work—where's the cavalry?'
Technical
In modern military doctrine, refers to units focused on reconnaissance, security, and rapid movement, often using armored vehicles or helicopters.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cavalry”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cavalry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cavalry”
- Confusing 'cavalry' with 'Calvary' (the hill where Jesus was crucified). This is a frequent spelling/meaning error. Mnemonic: 'The cavalry rides on horses (with a 'V' for 'veloce' or quick); Calvary is a place of suffering.'
- Using it as a synonym for any soldier, rather than specifically mounted or highly mobile units.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Cavalry traditionally fights mounted (on horses or in vehicles) and is highly mobile, used for shock attacks, reconnaissance, and flanking. Infantry fights on foot and is used to hold ground and engage in direct combat.
Yes, very commonly. It is used idiomatically to mean a source of timely help or rescue, e.g., 'When the deadline was looming, my colleague was the cavalry I needed.'
The most common error is misspelling it as 'Calvary', which is the name of the hill where Jesus was crucified. Remember: Cavalry has a 'V' for vehicles (or victory).
The classic horse-mounted cavalry charge is obsolete in modern warfare. However, the conceptual equivalent exists in the form of rapid, concentrated assaults using armored vehicles or helicopters to break through enemy lines.
Soldiers who fight on horseback or, in modern contexts, highly mobile soldiers in armored vehicles.
Cavalry is usually formal, historical, military, idiomatic in register.
Cavalry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkævəlri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkævəlri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Here comes the cavalry!”
- “Call in the cavalry.”
- “Waiting for the cavalry to arrive.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAVE being discovered by a team on horseback (CAValry) who come to explore it. The 'val' in the middle sounds like 'valiant', which describes brave soldiers.
Conceptual Metaphor
HELP IS A RESCUING MILITARY FORCE / SOLVING A PROBLEM IS A MILITARY CAMPAIGN.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the primary modern meaning of 'cavalry' in a military context?