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 of pantry

• cupboard
• closet

Examples of pantry in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Families can shop the shelves for fresh food, pantry staples, diapers and other essentials — all at no cost. — Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Off-road unit is designed with a wedge-style pop-up roof for extra standing room plus exterior pantry and slide-out kitchen for cooking outside the trailer. — Kris Millgate, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Many pantry staples are effective at combating pesky weeds, including baking soda. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

In recent years, visits to food pantries and soup kitchens have increased 84%, on average per month, compared to pre-pandemic levels. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

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