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

By analyzing grocery orders that included candy throughout the year, Instacart uncovered each state’s top Halloween picks. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025

When too much brainpower goes toward meeting basic needs like rent or groceries, long-term thinking and innovation fade, depriving society of creativity and progress. —Scott Ellis, Time, 17 Oct. 2025

That’s why some folks carry antibacterial wipes, a good dollar aisle pickup when grocery shopping. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

Ellis continued to follow them after Margot paid for the groceries and exited the store. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025

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

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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