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

Jim Cusson, president of the retail branding agency Theory House that works extensively in the grocery space, said that Starbucks’ adding protein to its lattes should’ve signaled the peak of the protein craze. —Rich Bellis, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026

Prices soared for groceries, furniture, restaurant meals and many other goods and services. —Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026

On and on the TaxWatch report goes, listing higher and higher costs of housing, groceries, rent, utilities and child care. —Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026

Eventually, higher diesel prices will send food prices higher because shipping companies will charge supermarkets more to deliver groceries. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026

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

Video

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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