over-the-counter

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

Colds don’t respond to antibiotics, and most over-the-counter medications deliver modest results at best. —Mary J. Scourboutakos, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025

Choose the right magnesium supplement 💊 There are many over-the-counter magnesium supplements, and knowing which one fits your needs can be confusing. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 11 Nov. 2025

In addition, Thangaratinam said there are concerns that pregnant people might turn to other over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, which is not considered safe to use in pregnancy. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025

Long-term use of the popular over-the-counter sleep aid has been linked to a higher risk of heart failure and early death in adults with insomnia, according to research released Monday. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for over-the-counter

• 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