Word
dispensary
Phoneticsdis·pen·sary
US/ˈdɪspɛnˌsɛɹi/
UK/dɪspˈɛnsəɹi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a place where medicine is prepared and given out to people. You often find these in hospitals, clinics, or specialized shops.
n. a room or facility where medicines and medical supplies are prepared and distributed. Often refers to a specific department within a hospital or a licensed retail outlet for controlled substances.
Examples
“The nurse went to the dispensary to collect the patient's medicine.”
“After the doctor wrote the prescription, I had to wait at the hospital dispensary for twenty minutes.”
“Modern healthcare facilities often automate the dispensary process to reduce human error and ensure that high-potency medications are tracked with absolute precision from storage to patient.”
Examples
simple
“The nurse went to the dispensary to collect the patient's medicine.”
contextual
“After the doctor wrote the prescription, I had to wait at the hospital dispensary for twenty minutes.”
complex
“Modern healthcare facilities often automate the dispensary process to reduce human error and ensure that high-potency medications are tracked with absolute precision from storage to patient.”
Usage
Commonly used in British English to refer to the pharmacy section of a clinic; in North American English, it increasingly refers to legal cannabis outlets.
Real-World Examples
“ALotOfPerople/iStock via Getty Images On a Thursday evening in Fort Collins, Colorado, community members gathered around tables to discuss whether the city should allow marijuana dispensaries within city limits.” “Medical cannabis was legalised in Thailand in 2022 and dispensaries have become common in Thai cities.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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