pharmacy

noun

phar·​ma·​cy ˈfär-mə-sē 

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

b

: drugstore

3

: pharmacopoeia sense 2

Synonyms

• apothecary
• drugstore

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

However, plans that manage the pharmacy benefit can still institute coverage restrictions, including utilization management tools, such as prior authorization, fail-first policy requirements and duration of therapy limits. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

After finishing her studies in Beirut, Zeinab worked in a pharmacy in the neighboring village of Blida. —Sally Abou Aljoud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Still, these extensions happen only on a case-by-case basis — and only for pharmacies run by government institutions. —Keren Landman, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024

Then a volunteer found a file with an interesting piece of information The confessions comprise one part of the evidence presented by the state in its case against Allen, who worked at a CVS pharmacy in the small town of Delphi. —Zoe Sottile, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

pharmacy

noun

phar·​ma·​cy ˈfär-mə-sē 

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 

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