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 manufacturer, StayCon, voluntarily flagged 49 of its products, some of which first went up on dispensary shelves more than a year and a half ago. — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 25 Sep. 2026

Carpentersville changed its zoning regulations in 2018 to allow recreational cannabis dispensaries, Stewart said. — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

The nondescript door on Eighth Avenue is flanked by a liquor store and a cannabis dispensary, and the lobby has no directory. — Gabe Kirchheimer, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026

In that context, the city established a land use definition for cannabis dispensaries, then for cultivation, distribution, testing and manufacturing sites. — Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 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