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.
There’s actually quite a lot that kids can do to improve the chore of grocery shopping. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 11 Feb. 2025 Other grocery retailers, including Costco are following suit, CNN reported. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025 Best Use of Nostalgia: Instacart Considering nostalgia is most people's second language at this point, this spot crammed with favorite grocery mascots over the years (Chester Cheetah! Alex Apatoff, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025 Accepting practical help from family and friends, such as transportation to treatments, grocery shopping, cooking, or childcare, can lighten your load. Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near grocery

Cite this Entry

“Grocery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grocery. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on grocery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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