Main Entry:

com·mis·sar·i·at

Pronunciation:

\ˌkä-mə-ˈser-ē-ət, especially for 3 -ˈsär-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin commissariatus, from Medieval Latin commissarius

Date:

1779

1: a system for supplying an army with food2: food supplies3 [Russian komissariat, from German Kommissariat, from New Latin commissariatus] : a government department in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics until 19464: a board of commissioners