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

• 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

This dish takes advantage of pantry staples like cream of chicken soup to quickly whip up weeknight supper. —Brennan Long, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025

Planners: Stock up on warm layers and pantry staples before the storms roll in. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2025

Shop your pantry and refrigerator before buying new items. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025

The food is distributed to shelters, food pantries, nonprofits, community fridges, and homeless encampments. —Kathleen Toner, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 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