pharmacy
Americannoun
plural
pharmacies-
Also called pharmaceutics. the art and science of preparing and dispensing drugs and medicines.
-
a drugstore.
noun
-
Also called: pharmaceutics. the practice or art of preparing and dispensing drugs
-
a dispensary
Etymology
Origin of pharmacy
1645–55; earlier pharmacia < Medieval Latin < Greek pharmakeía druggist's work. See pharmaco-, -y 3
Explanation
A pharmacy is where you go when you need to fill a prescription for medicine. Hospitals have pharmacies, but you can also find retail pharmacies in most cities and towns. The technique of making medicine and dispensing it is also known as pharmacy, and people who practice this kind of science are pharmacists. If your doctor diagnoses an infection, it's your friendly neighborhood pharmacist who measures your antibiotics, packages them for you, and instructs you on how much and how often to take them. The Greek root is pharmakeia, which means "medicines or cure," but also "witchcraft, spells, or potions."
Vocabulary lists containing pharmacy
Unit 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Pharmacy owners will then automatically be reimbursed for drugs on the list at the new price.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
Amazon Pharmacy and GoodRx said patients would be able to access Foundayo through their platforms.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
In 2024, Blue Shield created Pharmacy Care Reimagined to negotiate directly with drug companies to provide its members with better access to biosimilar medicines.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
Oliver Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, told BBC Radio 5 Live that his pharmacies were getting a booking for a jab every two to three minutes with more than 100 overnight.
From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026
Of course, they probably just say things as mundane as Restaurant or Pharmacy or Open 24 Hours.
From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
