grocery

noun

gro·​cery ˈgrōs-rē 

ˈgrō-sə-;

ˈgrōsh-rē 

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

Families and kids walked over the rubble, carrying bags of groceries and jugs of water. —Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025

Or that neither Democrats nor Republicans have a real plan to address the climbing cost of groceries, and the burden those costs impose on families across the nation? —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

While the cost of eggs and some other items continue to rise, grocery price inflation overall seems to be leveling out. —Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025

Both have tackled topics like learning about recycling, going to the dentist, and shopping for groceries. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing grocery

• do (one's) grocery shopping
• go grocery shopping
• grocery bag
• grocery cart
• grocery list
• grocery store

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Kids Definition

grocery

noun

gro·​cery ˈgrōs-(ə-)rē 

plural groceries

1

plural : food sold by a grocer

went out to buy the groceries

2

: a grocer's store