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

Vaccinations are covered by most health insurance companies, and kids can usually get them at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VCF) Program at their doctor’s office, pharmacies and health clinics that are enrolled in the program. —Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Some people describe hunting for a shot from pharmacy to pharmacy and doctor's office to doctor's office — even sometimes seeking one out of state. —Rob Stein, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025

In Boise, flu shots are available at health provider offices, pharmacies and through Central District Health, the area’s public health district. —Sara Schilling, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025

Health account data shows more workers are turning to direct-to-consumer options, including Eli Lilly's Lilly Direct and Novo Nordisk's Novocare online pharmacies, both of which offer their weight loss drugs at roughly half the list prices of more than $1000. —Bertha Coombs, CNBC, 11 Sep. 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