dispensary

noun

dis·​pen·​sa·​ry di-ˈspen(t)s-(ə-)rē 

plural dispensaries

: a place where medicine or medical or dental treatment is dispensed

Examples of dispensary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, only five dispensaries in the city operate exclusively as medical marijuana businesses. —Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026

As of January, there were 281 licensed medical dispensaries in the state compared to 687 recreational stores, according to the Marijuana Enforcement Division. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026

It was parked in front of a dispensary in a nondescript strip mall on Bruceville Road in Valley Hi. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026

His company operates dispensaries in several states. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

dispense + -ary entry 1, probably after New Latin dispensārium "book containing directions for formulating medicines"

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dispensary

• suspensory
• extrasensory
• multisensory
• sensory
• somatosensory

Kids Definition

dispensary

noun

dis·​pen·​sa·​ry dis-ˈpen(t)s-(ə-)rē 

plural dispensaries

: a place where medical or dental aid is given

Medical Definition

dispensary

noun

dis·​pen·​sa·​ry dis-ˈpen(t)s-(ə-)rē 

plural dispensaries

: a place where medicine or medical or dental treatment is dispensed