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.
“When oil spikes, it doesn’t show up on your pharmacy receipt the next week—but it will show up,” Suter said.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
The Danish drugmaker said Tuesday that Wegovy HD is now available nationwide through more than 70,000 pharmacies, its online pharmacy, certain telehealth providers and other outlets.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
The agency would have to solicit public comment and an advisory committee of health and pharmacy experts would have to review the FDA’s research.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
Alice Antonsen, who works in a pharmacy in the city, said there were "definitely fewer people about".
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
Soon creditors began appearing at the pharmacy demanding repayment of mortgages secured by the store’s furnishings and its stock of salves and ointments and other goods.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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.
