over the counter

1 of 2

phrase

1

: in or through a broker's office rather than through a stock exchange

stock bought over the counter

2

: without a prescription

drugs available over the counter

over-the-counter

2 of 2

adjective

over-the-count·​er ˌō-vər-ṯẖə-ˈkau̇n-tər 

1

: not traded or effected on an organized securities exchange

over-the-counter transactions

over-the-counter securities

2

: sold lawfully without prescription

an over-the-counter pain reliever

Examples of over the counter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

The witness said another person in a mask appeared, jumped over the counter, and demanded the register while waving a weapon. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

The eye drops are sold over the counter nationwide at major retailers, including CVS and Walmart. — Jane Weaver, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026

Adjective

For women who can't or don't want to take hormones, there are non-hormonal prescription medications and some over-the-counter products that can help with certain symptoms. — Erin Jones, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Other medications including daily prescriptions, allergy tablets, pain relievers and over-the-counter medicines — generally need to be handled through the school health office. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for over the counter

• encounter

Kids Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

: sold legally without a prescription

an over-the-counter pain reliever

Medical Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

: sold lawfully without prescription

an over-the-counter painkiller

Legal Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

over-the-count·​er

1

: not traded or effected on an organized securities exchange

over-the-counter transactions

over-the-counter securities

2

: sold lawfully without a prescription

over-the-counter drugs