dispensary
gb/dɪspˈɛnsɚi/ us/dɪspˈɛnsɚi/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
Place that dispenses medicines
a place where you get medicine
Usage pattern:
at/in the dispensary; the dispensary [of a hospital/clinic]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse a dispensary (place) with a prescription (paper) or dosage (amount of medicine).
Synonyms
pharmacy (More general term; not limited to hospitals/clinics.)
|
drugstore (Common in North American English for a retail pharmacy.)
Collocations
hospital dispensary
|clinic dispensary
|the dispensary staff
|the dispensary counter
|dispensary hours
|dispensary pharmacist
|dispensary window
|dispensary service
|pick up medication at the dispensary
|dispensary queue
Themes
healthcare
|medicine
|hospitals
|daily_life
Examples
- After her appointment, she went to the hospital dispensary to collect her antibiotics.
- The nurse called the dispensary to check whether the medication was in stock.
- Please take this form to the dispensary before you leave.
Learner examples
- I went to the dispensary for my medicine.
- The dispensary closes at 6 p.m.
Noun
C1
entity
2
Clinic for outpatient treatment
a clinic for basic medical care
Usage pattern:
a [community/local] dispensary; go to a dispensary
Common mistake:
In some places, 'dispensary' means the clinic itself, not only the room where medicine is given out.
Synonyms
clinic (Broader and more common; not necessarily linked to dispensing medicines.)
|
health center (Often larger and offers a wider range of services.)
Collocations
community dispensary
|local dispensary
|public dispensary
|run a dispensary
|open a dispensary
|dispensary clinic
|dispensary services
|a small dispensary
|visit the dispensary
|dispensary patients
Themes
healthcare
|medicine
|community_services
Examples
- The town set up a dispensary to provide basic care for people without insurance.
- She takes her son to the dispensary when he has asthma symptoms.
- The dispensary treats minor injuries and refers serious cases to the main hospital.
Learner examples
- There is a dispensary near my home.
- He went to the dispensary for a check-up.
Noun
C1
entity
3
Legal cannabis retail store
a legal shop that sells cannabis
Usage pattern:
a dispensary; go to a dispensary; buy [cannabis/edibles] at a dispensary
Common mistake:
In this sense, 'dispensary' usually implies a legal, licensed cannabis shop; it does not mean any shop.
Synonyms
cannabis shop (More general and informal; may not imply licensing.)
|
marijuana store (Common but less formal than 'dispensary'.)
Collocations
cannabis dispensary
|marijuana dispensary
|medical dispensary
|licensed dispensary
|dispensary menu
|dispensary products
|dispensary staff
|dispensary ID check
|visit a dispensary
|dispensary purchase limits
Themes
law
|business
|healthcare
|retail
Examples
- You need to show ID at the dispensary before you can enter.
- The dispensary sells oils, edibles, and dried flower.
- They stopped at a dispensary after the doctor approved her medical card.
Learner examples
- He went to a dispensary to buy cannabis legally.
Noun
formal
C2
entity
4
Place that distributes supplies
a place that gives out supplies
Usage pattern:
a dispensary for [food/clothing/supplies]
Common mistake:
This sense is less common in modern everyday English; most often 'dispensary' refers to medicine or cannabis.
Synonyms
distribution center (More common modern term; not necessarily charitable.)
|
relief center (Often used in disaster or emergency contexts.)
Collocations
food dispensary
|relief dispensary
|aid dispensary
|run a dispensary
|dispensary for the poor
|dispensary supplies
|dispensary distribution
|dispensary line
|temporary dispensary
|local dispensary
Themes
community_services
|charity
|daily_life
Examples
- A temporary dispensary was set up to distribute food and blankets after the storm.
- The charity opened a dispensary where families could collect basic supplies.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dispensary
IPA
GB/dɪspˈɛnsɚi/
US/dɪspˈɛnsɚi/
Syllables & stress
dis - pens - ary (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pens)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dispensary
- Plural: dispensaries
Word family
Forms
dispensaries
noun
Core family
dispense
verb B2
dispenser
noun
Related words
dispensable
adjective C1
Negative and opposite forms
indispensable
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
dispensation
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.