pharmacy

noun

phar·​ma·​cy ˈfär-mə-sē 

plural pharmacies

1

: the art, practice, or profession of preparing, preserving, compounding, and dispensing medical drugs

2

a

: a place where medicines are compounded or dispensed

b

: drugstore

3

: pharmacopoeia sense 2

Synonyms

• drugstore

Examples of pharmacy in a Sentence

There's a pharmacy in our grocery store now.

She's studying pharmacy at the university.

Recent Examples on the Web

These individuals will likely be able to get the vaccine at various healthcare clinics and pharmacies with insurance covering the cost of the shot. —Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

On Thursday during his hearing, Kennedy claimed that anyone can get COVID-19 vaccines at their pharmacy for free, however, pharmacies are being selective due to the limbo of federal regulations. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025

Rx Pizza, housed in a former pharmacy, still showcases much of its historic character while offering inventive pies that go far beyond the basics. —Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025

For people meeting the FDA criteria In the 31 states that allow for broader pharmacist vaccination authority, people meeting FDA's criteria (65 years and older, and people with underlying conditions), should be able to get the vaccine at a pharmacy like usual. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin pharmacia administration of drugs, from Greek pharmakeia, from pharmakeuein to administer drugs, from pharmakon magic charm, poison, drug

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pharmacy

noun

phar·​ma·​cy ˈfär-mə-sē 

plural pharmacies

1

: the art, practice, or profession of preparing drugs according to a doctor's prescription

2

a

: a place where medicines are made or distributed

b

: drugstore

Medical Definition

pharmacy

noun

phar·​ma·​cy ˈfär-mə-sē 

plural pharmacies

1

: the art, practice, or profession of preparing, preserving, compounding, and dispensing medical drugs

2

a

: a place where medicines are compounded or dispensed

a hospital pharmacy

b

: drugstore

3

: pharmacopoeia sense 2