over the counter

1 of 2

phrase

1

: in or through a broker's office rather than through a stock exchange

stock bought over the counter

2

: without a prescription

drugs available over the counter

over-the-counter

2 of 2

adjective

over-the-count·​er ˌō-vər-ṯẖə-ˈkau̇n-tər 

1

: not traded or effected on an organized securities exchange

over-the-counter transactions

over-the-counter securities

2

: sold lawfully without prescription

an over-the-counter pain reliever

Examples of over the counter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Walgreens has agreed to pay $6 million in a settlement to a lawsuit filed by several district attorney’s offices across California alleging that the drug store chain overcharged customers and sold expired over-the-counter products in violation of state law, prosecutors said. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026

The comparison to 3% minoxidil specifically is important context; the most common over-the-counter minoxidil strengths are 2% and 5%, so capixyl’s comparable effectiveness to the 3% level positions it as a legitimate contender for those seeking results with a potentially gentler experience. —Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026

Twenty-eight of the sharks had detectable levels of caffeine, two common over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkillers, or, in one instance, cocaine in their blood, according to the study. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

Rest and use over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms like headaches. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for over the counter

• encounter

Kids Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

: sold legally without a prescription

an over-the-counter pain reliever

Medical Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

: sold lawfully without prescription

an over-the-counter painkiller

Legal Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

over-the-count·​er

1

: not traded or effected on an organized securities exchange

over-the-counter transactions

over-the-counter securities

2

: sold lawfully without a prescription

over-the-counter drugs