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 of pharmacy

• 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

Across Florida and the nation, health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are increasingly forcing one-size-fits-all protocols in cancer care — delaying or denying access to treatment and dictating choices based on their financial bottom line, not patient clinical need. —Alex Mejia Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026

Satellite images show damage The school is adjacent to a walled compound labeled on maps as the Seyyed Al-Shohada Cultural Complex of the Guard, which included a pharmacy, gym and sports field. —Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Costco’s ancillary and other businesses — like pharmacy, food courts, and travel — added 19 basis points of improvement on a reported basis, and 17 basis points excluding gas. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026

The pharmacy moved to the Davis Building, at the corner of Manatee Avenue East and Ninth Street East in downtown Bradenton, in 1934. —Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026

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