rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycommissaryFood and provisions facility
noun

commissary

KAH-mih-sair-ee/ˈkɑːmɪseri/

A place providing food and other supplies for an institution or organized group.

Military families buy groceries at the commissary on the base.

A small military-base grocery counter with neatly shelved tins, fresh fruit and an adult customer buying supplies.
Etymology
commissLatinentrust
+aryLatinperson concerned with

A commissary was originally someone entrusted with a duty, later specifically an official responsible for military supplies. The name passed from the supply officer to the store providing food and other goods.

In context

The Connect: With Johnny Mitchell50:48
everything else all other food snacks reading material that's all bought off the commissary the canteen and though that slang that's taken from the military right
A Former Criminal Reveals SECRET Prison Slang | Ep. 24 | The Connect with Johnny Mitchell

More examples

  • The studio commissary serves lunch to the cast and crew.
  • Prisoners can buy soap and snacks at the prison commissary.
  • The camp keeps its food supplies in a central commissary.

Forms

commissary · commissaries

Similar words

cafeteria
Serves prepared meals, usually with self-service, rather than general provisions.
canteen
Usually provides meals, drinks, or snacks rather than broader supplies.