grocery

noun

gro·​cery ˈgrōs-rē How to pronounce grocery (audio)
ˈgrō-sə-;
ˈgrōsh-rē How to pronounce grocery (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a city known to shrug at local politics — the media tend to showcase crime, sports and Hollywood rather than City Hall — the race has been overshadowed by the national fight for Congress, two wars and anxiety over inflation and grocery prices. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Plainly put, consumers buy toothpaste, groceries, and cleaning supplies regardless of macro or micro economic stress. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 Canned pumpkin stock levels at your local grocery as Thanksgiving week approaches 2. — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Because of the acquisition, guests can now find those chips not just at restaurants, but for grocery purchase at Whole Foods across in some Mountain West and Midwest states. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grocery

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of grocery was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing grocery

Browse Nearby Words

grocer
grocery
grocery bag
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grocery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grocery. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

grocery

noun
gro·​cery ˈgrōs-(ə-)rē How to pronounce grocery (audio)
plural groceries
1
plural : food sold by a grocer
went out to buy the groceries
2
: a grocer's store
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