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.
Shepherd Sanders, a resident who spoke with CBS News Bay Area back in 2023 when the Safeway closed, said at the time the loss would mean extra trips across the city just to buy groceries. — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 No, it’s being dragged by two large straps and rolling along on a quintet of wheels, stuffed with dirty laundry or maybe this week’s groceries. — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2026 Put another way, when the grocery shelves grow bare or there is too much danger or energy required to go there, grouse find a new place to shop. — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 Rent and airfare prices rose while gasoline and grocery prices fell. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 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 14 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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