grocery

noun

gro·​cery ˈgrōs-rē How to pronounce grocery (audio)
ˈgrō-sə-;
ˈgrōsh-rē How to pronounce grocery (audio)
plural groceries
1
groceries plural : the food and supplies sold by a grocer
—usually singular in British usage
2
: a grocer's store

Examples of grocery in a Sentence

She stopped to pick up some groceries for supper.
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.
Some of them complained about grocery deliveries that were directed out of the country, or of matching with users of dating apps across borders. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2026 Categories might include groceries, gasoline, restaurant meals, entertainment, and clothing. — Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026 Everyday spending can connect banking, groceries, fuel, dining and retail. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Last year, the county also hiked its motor fuel tax and added a 1% grocery tax replacing the state’s grocery tax that was set to expire as ways of generating additional revenue for the county. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grocery

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grocerye, grosery "merchandise sold by wholesalers, the Grocers' Company of London," borrowed from Anglo-French grocerie, groserie, from groser "wholesale dealer in preserved foods, spices, wine, etc." + -ie -y entry 2 — more at grocer

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grocery was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing grocery

Browse Nearby Words

grocer
grocery
grocery bag
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grocery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grocery. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

grocery

noun
gro·​cery ˈgrōs-(ə-)rē How to pronounce grocery (audio)
plural groceries
1
plural : food sold by a grocer
went out to buy the groceries
2
: a grocer's store

More from Merriam-Webster on grocery

Nglish: Translation of grocery for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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