cavalry
Americannoun
-
Military.
-
the part of a military force composed of troops that serve on horseback.
-
mounted soldiers collectively.
-
the motorized, armored units of a military force organized for maximum mobility.
-
-
horsemen, horses, etc., collectively.
noun
-
(esp formerly) the part of an army composed of mounted troops
-
the armoured element of a modern army
-
( as modifier )
a cavalry unit
a cavalry charge
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of cavalry
1585–95; syncopated variant of cavallery < Italian cavalleria, derivative of cavaliere cavalier
Explanation
A cavalry is a group of soldiers who fight on horses. Cavalry can also refer to any military unit that is quick and mobile. If a general said, "Send in the cavalry!" you can be sure a group of soldiers are being called upon. The only question is whether the cavalry is the traditional sort or if the word is being used more loosely. Traditionally, a cavalry is a unit of troops on horseback. When horses were a primary means of transportation, cavalries were a common part of war. Since then, a cavalry might be any unit of soldiers that can be quickly deployed.
Vocabulary lists containing cavalry
"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The American Civil War
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Drummer Boy of Shiloh"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It bet the cavalry would arrive, every 12 months, for 36 months straight.
From MarketWatch ● May 21, 2026
The charge of the maroon cavalry was gathering pace.
From BBC ● May 4, 2026
At the Battle of Ayacucho in Peru that December, Miller commanded the patriot cavalry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026
A wannabe cavalry unit, anchored in the center by an agent on a white horse, swept through a soccer field where children were attending day camp just minutes before.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2026
Her cavalry helmet was tucked under her arm.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Their fierce cavalries struck fear in the hearts of anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path.
From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2022
The twin developments of agriculture and military technology—especially cavalries and iron weapons—have predicted the rise of empires.
From Science Magazine ● Jun. 28, 2022
Once a society adopted superior iron weaponry and formed cavalries, it could protect itself from rivals or overwhelm them, Turchin says.
From Science Magazine ● Jun. 28, 2022
Broadly speaking, if two cavalries of approximately equal mobility manoeuvre against each other in open country, neither side can afford the loss of time that dismounting to fight on foot entails.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 "Cat" to "Celt" by Various
When hostile cavalries thus meet each other, there is usually but small loss on either side.
From A Treatise on the Tactical Use of the Three Arms: Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry by Lippitt, Francis J. (Francis James)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
