grocery

noun

gro·​cery ˈgrōs-rē How to pronounce grocery (audio)
ˈgrō-sə-;
ˈgrōsh-rē How to pronounce grocery (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
James Sweeney has a case of grocery envy. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 Phypers claimed that about $15,000 of that amount was spent on eating out, while $10,000 went toward groceries and household supplies. Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 Here’s how to get money for spoiled groceries when the food in your refrigerator is compromised during a power outage. Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2025 In the new Regensdorf trial, RIVR ONE robots will be hitching rides in Swiss Post delivery vans, then carrying select Swiss Post parcels and Migros Online grocery deliveries from those vans to clients' doorsteps. New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grocery

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of grocery was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Grocery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grocery. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

grocery

noun
gro·​cery ˈgrōs-(ə-)rē How to pronounce grocery (audio)
plural groceries
1
plural : food sold by a grocer
went out to buy the groceries
2
: a grocer's store

More from Merriam-Webster on grocery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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