askari

American  

[as-kuh-ree] / ˈæs kə ri /

noun

askaris, plural askari plural

1. an African police officer or soldier, especially one serving a colonial administration.

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askari British  

/ asˈkaːri /

noun

1. (in East Africa) a soldier or policeman

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• askari
  plural
• askaris
  plural

Etymology

Origin of askari

First recorded in 1805–10; from Swahili, from Arabic ʿaskarī “soldier,” equivalent to ʿaskar “army” (from Persian lashkar) + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin); see origin at lascar

Example Sentences

The court heard Veisi and Askari had been married and had recently separated and Veisi had rented another property for six months.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Askari and Delavary told the officers they did not know where she was but that she had a boyfriend in Iran.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Basil Al Askari, co-founder of Abu Dhabi-based crypto brokerage MidChains, which is backed by Mubadala, said there were a lot of U.A.E. first-timers looking to return home with a quick deal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025

Tyler Askari, assistant port captain with Harbor Breeze Cruises, said the tour agency had received reports of possible orcas Monday morning from ferry crews operating between the mainland and Catalina Island.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2023

The leader of the Askari immediately shouted to the men in the water to pursue him, pointing out the direction in which he had disappeared beneath the surface.

From Samba A Story of the Rubber Slaves of the Congo by Strang, Herbert