constabulary

1 of 2

adjective

con·​stab·​u·​lary kən-ˈsta-byə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce constabulary (audio)
-ˌle-rē
: of or relating to a constable or constabulary

constabulary

2 of 2

noun

plural constabularies
1
: the organized body of constables of a particular district or country
2
: an armed police force organized on military lines but distinct from the regular army

Examples of constabulary in a Sentence

Noun all members of the local constabulary were on the alert for the escaped convict
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
For now, regional disputes are still focused on constabulary, not military, competition. Christian Le Mière, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2013 Wishing to remain out of sight of the constabulary, Jenks surprised a family enjoying Christmas lunch, coasting up their private driveway unannounced. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024
Noun
It was reportedly embraced by law enforcement and Clearview sold its services to hundreds of agencies, ranging from local constabularies to sprawling government agencies like the FBI and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Robert Hart, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024 With Ida Engvoll as Rebecka, a Stockholm lawyer back in her small hometown after the death of a friend, and Eva Melander as Mella, chief inspector of the local constabulary, who appropriates her semi-formally to the force. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for constabulary 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constabulary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1824, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of constabulary was circa 1715

Dictionary Entries Near constabulary

Cite this Entry

“Constabulary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constabulary. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

constabulary

noun
con·​stab·​u·​lary
kən-ˈstab-yə-ˌler-ē
plural constabularies
1
: an organized body of constables or of police officers
2
: a police force organized like the military

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