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

No date has been set for a strike, which would affect dozens of pharmacies, Gerard Maderazo, who sits on the bargaining committee for Local 770, told the Southern California News Group. —Pat Maio, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025

Nestled in the heart of the historic Five Points neighborhood, just up Lumpkin Street from Sanford Stadium, the family-run pharmacy and old-school lunch counter has been a community staple since its doors first opened in 1961—and it’s hardly changed in the decades since. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025

Stop signs added a block away After Bidon’s death, his family needed to go to his pharmacy and credit union to wrap up matters. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025

The location inside an old pharmacy has raised hopes for these forlorn ex-businesses on Reddit. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 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