pantry

noun

pan·​try ˈpan-trē 

plural pantries

1

: a room or closet used for storage (as of provisions) or from which food is brought to the table

2

: a room (as in a hotel or hospital) for preparation of foods on order

Synonyms

• closet
• cuddy
• cupboard
• press

Examples of pantry in a Sentence

homemade jams and pickles are stored in a separate pantry off the kitchen

Recent Examples on the Web

The organization will no longer receive frozen meat, vegetable, fruit and dairy shipments, though independent donors can still give those foods to the pantry. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2025

Three signature suites include a Presidential Suite built for entertaining with a natural hardwood dining room table that seats eight, a full kitchen, pantry, and private bar. —Amber Gibson, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2025

The Samaritan Resource Center is a drop-in center that provides help with government documents, finding jobs, getting medical care, and providing services like showers, laundry, and a supply pantry for people in need in the eastern part of the county. —Mike Valente, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025

Big retailers have picked up brands popularized by smaller Chinese stores, such as Kikkoman, Lee Kum Kee, and the pantry favorite Lao Gan Ma chili crisp. —Karen Yuan, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English panetrie, from Anglo-French paneterie, from paneter servant in charge of the pantry, from pain bread, from Latin panis — more at food

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pantry

• butler's pantry
• food pantry

Rhymes for pantry

• chantry
• gantry

Kids Definition

pantry

noun

pan·​try ˈpan-trē 

plural pantries

: a small room in which food and dishes are kept

Etymology

Middle English panetrie "pantry," derived from early French panetier "servant in charge of food storage," from pan "bread," from Latin panis "bread, food" — related to companion