pharmacy

noun

phar·​ma·​cy ˈfär-mə-sē How to pronounce pharmacy (audio)
plural pharmacies
Synonyms of pharmacynext
1
: the art, practice, or profession of preparing, preserving, compounding, and dispensing medical drugs
2
a
: a place where medicines are compounded or dispensed
b
: drugstore
3
: pharmacopoeia sense 2

Synonyms of pharmacy

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Examples of pharmacy in a Sentence

There's a pharmacy in our grocery store now. She's studying pharmacy at the university.
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.
It is nationally recognized for its top-tier pharmacy program, which graduates 20% of the nation’s Black pharmacists, as well as a business program (undergraduate and MBA) that’s been a pipeline to corporate jobs. — Asia Alexander, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Walmart, the nation's fifth-largest prescription provider with nearly 4,600 pharmacies, has moved aggressively to capture this shift. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026 Garcia quit her job as a pharmacy tech to help manage her son's behavior. — Larry Seward, CBS News, 31 July 2026 The brand is sold in 3,000 French pharmacies as well as through stores such as Galeries Lafayette, Samaritaine and Printemps Haussmann. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pharmacy

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin pharmacia administration of drugs, from Greek pharmakeia, from pharmakeuein to administer drugs, from pharmakon magic charm, poison, drug

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pharmacy was in 1651

Browse Nearby Words

pharmacotherapy
pharmacy
pharmakos
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Cite this Entry

“Pharmacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharmacy. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pharmacy

noun
phar·​ma·​cy ˈfär-mə-sē How to pronounce pharmacy (audio)
plural pharmacies
1
: the art, practice, or profession of preparing drugs according to a doctor's prescription
2
a
: a place where medicines are made or distributed
b
: drugstore

Medical Definition

pharmacy

noun
phar·​ma·​cy ˈfär-mə-sē How to pronounce pharmacy (audio)
plural pharmacies
1
: the art, practice, or profession of preparing, preserving, compounding, and dispensing medical drugs
2
a
: a place where medicines are compounded or dispensed
a hospital pharmacy
b
: drugstore
3
: pharmacopoeia sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on pharmacy

Nglish: Translation of pharmacy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pharmacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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