pharma

noun

phar·​ma ˈfär-mə How to pronounce pharma (audio)
: a pharmaceutical company
also : large pharmaceutical companies as a group

Examples of pharma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company’s efforts to improve its dimming sales growth prospects with an obesity medicine have largely flopped, leaving the pharma giant sidelined from the industry’s hottest market. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025 The truth is, today’s best nutricosmetics are built on pharma-grade processes and subjected to clinical trials published in high-credibility scientific journals. Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025 These aren’t cartel-like insurers or big pharma names whose product prices the government may cap. Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Core categories continue to be auto, insurance, retail, tech and quick-serve restaurants, while pharma, finance and tech stepped up with the biggest year-over-year increases. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pharma

Word History

Etymology

short for pharmaceutical

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pharma was in 1992

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pharma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharma. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

pharma

noun
phar·​ma ˈfär-mə How to pronounce pharma (audio)
: a pharmaceutical company
But the rate at which pharmas have grown in size pales beside the acceleration of relevant scientific knowledge during the same period.Science
also : large pharmaceutical companies as a group
Another issue pharma will face is an even more cost-conscious consumer as a result of insurers continuing to pass on additional costs to their members. Shaun Urban, Medical Marketing and Media
The Medicare prescription drug benefit enacted in 2003, and scheduled to go into effect in 2006, promises a windfall for big pharma since it forbids the government from negotiating prices. Marcia Angell, The New York Review of Books
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!