ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pharmacy

n.
US //ˈfɑɹməsi// UK //fˈɑːməsi// phar·ma·cy
  1. 1 a shop for medicine (n.)
    A2 Elementary Medicine

    a shop or a part of a hospital where you can buy medicine and get prescriptions.

    a retail shop or hospital department where medicinal drugs are prepared and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.

    Example

    I need to stop at the pharmacy to pick up the medicine the doctor ordered.

    Example

    The hospital pharmacy remains open twenty-four hours a day to ensure that emergency patients have immediate access to critical medications.

    Usage

    In British English, 'chemist' is a very common synonym for the retail shop.
  2. 2 the science of medicine (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Academic Science

    the study and science of preparing and making medicines.

    the science and technique of preparing, dispensing, and reviewing drugs and providing additional clinical services.

    Example

    She decided to study pharmacy at university because she was interested in chemistry.

    Example

    Advances in pharmacy have led to the development of highly targeted drug delivery systems that minimize side effects for cancer patients.

    Usage

    Uncountable when referring to the field of study or the profession.
Origin

From Middle English pharmacy, borrowed from Middle French pharmacie (“the art of creating drugs; a drug, especially a laxative”), from Old French farmacie, from Medieval Latin pharmacia, from Ancient Greek φαρμακεία (pharmakeía, “the use of drugs”), from φάρμακον (phármakon, “a drug, charm, enchantment”), of uncertain but likely Pre-Greek origin. Attested since late 14th century.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026