commissary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Military, Governmental
Quick answer
What does “commissary” mean?
A store that sells food and supplies, especially in a military base, prison, or large institution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A store that sells food and supplies, especially in a military base, prison, or large institution.
A person appointed by a higher authority to perform a specific task or duty, or an official in charge of provisions; historically, a government official.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is almost exclusively used for military/formal provisions; 'NAAFI' is a more common term for a military shop. In the US, the term is more broadly used for institutional stores (military, prisons, film studios).
Connotations
UK: Very official, historical, or military-specific. US: Wider institutional use, less archaic-sounding.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to its use in military, prison, and entertainment industry contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “commissary” in a Sentence
[the/possessive] + commissarycommissary + of + [institution]commissary + for + [group]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “commissary” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The unit was commissaried from the central depot.
American English
- The camp was commissaried by the quartermaster.
adjective
British English
- The commissary arrangements were made by the War Office.
American English
- He held a commissary position on the base.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might refer to an in-house company store in very large, isolated corporate campuses (e.g., old mining towns).
Academic
Used in historical or military studies contexts.
Everyday
Very low frequency. Understood primarily by those with military or institutional connections.
Technical
Specific to military logistics, prison administration, and film production.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “commissary”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “commissary”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commissary”
- Confusing 'commissary' with 'commission' (money earned).
- Using it as a general term for any shop.
- Pronouncing it /kəˈmɪsəri/ (the stress is on the first syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A commissary is primarily a store selling goods to take away. It may have a seating area, but its primary function is retail, while a cafeteria's primary function is serving prepared meals.
Typically, no. Access to military commissaries is usually restricted to active-duty personnel, veterans, and their families.
In the US military, a commissary sells groceries and household goods at cost, while a PX sells a wider variety of goods (like a department store) and is run for profit.
No, it's a low-frequency, specialized term. Most English speakers will understand it in context but will rarely use it in daily conversation unless they have a relevant background.
A store that sells food and supplies, especially in a military base, prison, or large institution.
Commissary is usually formal, military, governmental in register.
Commissary: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒmɪs(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːmɪseri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMMIssary as the COMMIssioned store for COMMUnity members like soldiers or prisoners.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMMISSARY is a CONTROLLED MARKET (regulated, exclusive, serving a specific community).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you LEAST likely encounter a 'commissary'?