constabulary

1 of 2

adjective

con·​stab·​u·​lary kən-ˈsta-byə-ˌler-ē 

-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

Synonyms

Noun

• police

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

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

But as the Ukrainians launched a broad counteroffensive starting in late August, even constabulary units came under fire. —David Axe, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2022

Noun

The news went out last weekend that Cadillac had been accepted by the F1 constabulary as the sport’s eleventh team, slated to enter the competition in 2026. —Peter Lyon, Forbes, 28 Nov. 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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1824, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for constabulary

• accretionary
• apothecary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary
• disciplinary

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