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

As the 2027 legislative session approaches, Florida lawmakers may be asked to consider legislation modeled on a Tennessee law that has put pharmacy operations and prescription access at risk. — L. Prather McKinnon, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

On Wednesday, Pritzker’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the retailers group proposed a package of tax incentives for independent grocery stores and pharmacies, to be considered in the current term. — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

The policy directs the FDA not to take action against specialty pharmacies that sell a half-dozen wellness peptides, including BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV. — Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026

And, like all the products from the beloved French pharmacy brand, the SPF incorporates a burst of thermal spring water to soothe and nourish the skin. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 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