commissariat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Historical, Bureaucratic
Quick answer
What does “commissariat” mean?
A department of a government, especially one dealing with food supplies or military administration.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A department of a government, especially one dealing with food supplies or military administration.
An administrative department with a specific function, particularly one responsible for provisions or supply; the officials of such a department.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in historical and bureaucratic British contexts. In American English, it's more likely to be encountered in historical texts about military or colonial administration.
Connotations
British: Connotes government bureaucracy, sometimes with a historical or Commonwealth flavour. American: Primarily historical/military, can sound foreign or archaic.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties, but slightly more persistent in British officialese and historical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “commissariat” in a Sentence
the ~ of (the) [noun]the [adjective] ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Would refer specifically to a dedicated supply or logistics department within a large, state-owned enterprise.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and military studies to describe specific administrative bodies, e.g., 'the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs' (NKVD).
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in military history and historical bureaucracy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “commissariat”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “commissariat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commissariat”
- Confusing it with 'commission' (a fee or a group of officials).
- Using it as a synonym for any small government office.
- Misspelling as 'comissariat' (single 'm').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal term primarily used in historical, military, or bureaucratic contexts.
Historically, especially in the Soviet context, a 'commissariat' was the equivalent of a ministry. Today, 'ministry' is the standard term, while 'commissariat' is largely historical.
Indirectly. It refers to the department or its officials, but it can be used metonymically to refer to the building where such a department is housed.
Not inherently. Its connotation depends on context. In discussions of Soviet history, it can be neutral, but in contexts of bureaucratic inefficiency or oppressive state apparatus, it may take on a negative tone.
A department of a government, especially one dealing with food supplies or military administration.
Commissariat is usually formal, historical, bureaucratic in register.
Commissariat: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒm.ɪˈseə.ri.ət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑː.mɪˈser.i.ət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of COMMIsariat: It's the official department (ariat) responsible for COMMIssioning supplies or overseeing COMMIssioned tasks.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A BODY (with specialised organs/limbs). The commissariat is a specialised organ responsible for nourishment/sustenance of the state.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'commissariat' LEAST likely to be used accurately?