pharmacy
Americannoun
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Also called pharmaceutics. the art and science of preparing and dispensing drugs and medicines.
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a drugstore.
noun
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Also called: pharmaceutics. the practice or art of preparing and dispensing drugs
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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.
Compounded hormones are only as good as the compounding pharmacy.
From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026
And yes, this building also pulls double duty as a thriving pharmacy.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
In early March Novo Nordisk agreed to drop a patent infringement lawsuit against Hims in exchange for the telehealth provider’s commitment to sell branded Ozempic and Wegovy through its online pharmacy.
From Barron's • May 11, 2026
The pharmacy and insurance giant reported first-quarter net income of $2.96 billion, or $2.30 a share, up from $1.78 billion, or $1.41 a share, last year.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
This store is more than just a pharmacy.
From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi
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.
