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

Cholera can quickly become life-threatening, but the best defense might be sitting in your pantry. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026

Made with Cheddar, white bread, and a few pantry staples, these tender, savory squares magically taste like way more than the sum of their parts. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026

The layout moves easily from one room to the next, with a dining area that opens directly to the terrace and a kitchen centered around a large stone island with a separate walk-in pantry. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2026

The nonprofit’s mission is to prevent child abuse by providing supportive services such as a diaper bank, food pantry and free boutique for clothes. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 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