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

Legal IDs are required to access health care, obtain housing, have a job, vote, attend college, access financial assistance or even purchase cold medicine at a pharmacy. —Noelle Martin, The Conversation, 1 Mar. 2026

Nutex’s hospital, called Post Falls ER & Hospital, offers 24-7 emergency care but also has on-site imaging, a laboratory, a pharmacy and inpatient care. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026

Five local businesses, including convenience stores, supermarkets and pharmacies, were set on fire, but firefighters quickly brought the situation under control. —Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

Cardinal Health plays a major role in the health-care supply chain by supplying and distributing medicines and medical products to hospitals, retail pharmacies, and clinics. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 Feb. 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