grocery

noun

gro·​cery ˈgrōs-rē 

ˈgrō-sə-;

ˈgrōsh-rē 

plural groceries

1

groceries plural : the food and supplies sold by a grocer

—usually singular in British usage

2

: a grocer's store

Examples of grocery in a Sentence

She stopped to pick up some groceries for supper.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then add up essential expenses, such as housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, and debt payments. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026

That figure, which includes prices for groceries and food eaten away from home, stands well below the annual pace of overall price increases. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

While rising prices at the pump and grocery checkout might give you sticker shock, home prices — especially for middle-income buyers in South Florida — could remain high, at least for now. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026

Many Laredo residents cross the border to run errands, taking advantage of lower grocery prices and a favorable exchange rate on the Mexican side of the river. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grocerye, grosery "merchandise sold by wholesalers, the Grocers' Company of London," borrowed from Anglo-French grocerie, groserie, from groser "wholesale dealer in preserved foods, spices, wine, etc." + -ie -y entry 2 — more at grocer

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing grocery

• do (one's) grocery shopping
• go grocery shopping
• grocery bag
• grocery cart
• grocery list
• grocery store

Video

How Do You Pronounce 'Groceries'?

In American English, 'groceries' has several forms of pronunciation. But is one the "correct" way to say it? Editor Serenity Carr breaks down the various kinds of 'groceries.'

TRANSCRIPT

Whether you're a weekend shopper or a Tuesday afternoon one, chances are you buy these at least weekly: grōs-rēs, or maybe you buy grō-sə-rēs, or perhaps you buy grōsh-rēs. We do not judge, in fact, our dictionary says all three pronunciations are just fine.

Kids Definition

grocery

noun

gro·​cery ˈgrōs-(ə-)rē 

plural groceries

1

plural : food sold by a grocer

went out to buy the groceries

2

: a grocer's store