noun

cavalry

KA-vuhl-ree

noun

Soldiers who fight from horseback, or, in modern armies, troops who move by fast, light vehicles.

"The cavalry charged across the open field at dawn."

"Modern cavalry units use armoured vehicles instead of horses."

Figuratively, help that arrives just in time to save the day.

"Just when the deal looked dead, our investor rode in like the cavalry."

How to Use Cavalry

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSoldiers who fight on horseback (or, today, in fast vehicles) — also used loosely for any rescuer who shows up right on time.

Common pairings

send in the cavalry cavalry charge mounted cavalry

cavalries plural

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The _____ charged across the open field at dawn.

From Middle French cavalerie, via Italian cavalleria. In English since the 1540s; a doublet of "chivalry."

rivalry chivalry