cavalry

American  

[kav-uhl-ree] / ˈkæv əl ri /

noun

plural

cavalries

1. Military.

   1. the part of a military force composed of troops that serve on horseback.

   2. mounted soldiers collectively.

   3. the motorized, armored units of a military force organized for maximum mobility.

2. horsemen, horses, etc., collectively.

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cavalry British  

/ ˈkævəlrɪ /

noun

1. (esp formerly) the part of an army composed of mounted troops

2. the armoured element of a modern army

3. ( as modifier )

   a cavalry unit

   a cavalry charge

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Other Word Forms

• cavalryman noun

Etymology

Origin of cavalry

1585–95; syncopated variant of cavallery < Italian cavalleria, derivative of cavaliere cavalier

Example Sentences

Kilgore leads his cavalry into air battle to the strains of Wagner, taking out combatants in between swigs of coffee.

From Los Angeles Times

Japan’s debt, at 232% of GDP, is twice as large as its economy — and the cavalry is not coming anytime soon.

From MarketWatch

"There is a feeling of the cavalry being in sight now."

From BBC

The cavalry is here to save us, and she’s driving a minivan.

From Salon

It was defended by a mix of infantry, archers, and cavalry drawn from across the Roman Empire.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• squadron