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

And — in addition to arts and crafts — there will be vendors offering products such as clothing, pantry goods and healthy foods, as well as services promoting everything from aromatherapy to mental health awareness. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026

It can also be used in pantries for stacking cans, spices, and small containers. —Clint Davis, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026

Start with our cover star, food director Chris Morocco’s one-hour bolognese that uses a pantry shortcut, Chinese black bean sauce, to kick up the umami. —The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Feb. 2026

Keeping them front and center can also ensure they are put to use more quickly than those destined to live in the back of the pantry. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 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