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

The compromise agreed to by lawmakers largely behind closed doors would also increase the number of pot dispensaries one company can own from three to five, meaning big weed companies can make more money. —Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

The Lemon Grove City Council on Tuesday unanimously upheld the denial of a permit for a local business owner to open a cannabis shop, effectively ending his years-long effort to open a dispensary on Broadway. —Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026

These products only become available in dispensaries. —Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026

Any product exceeding 10 milligrams would need to be sold at dispensaries. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 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