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

This baker's secret is a pantry staple in Southern kitchens. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025

Two pantry staples—a buttery can of refried beans and smoky chipotle chiles in adobo—deliver extra bold flavor. —Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appétit, 28 Feb. 2025

The pantry also has bottle sterilizers and warmers, a washing machine (and baby laundry detergent), and a microwave to warm baby food and formula. Guests who don’t have access to the pantry can get some baby items upon request. —Bella Stoddart, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025

Primarily unfolding in the kitchen of an Edinburgh apartment, this cozy memoir offers rich descriptions of international foods stored in the pantry and cooking on the stove. —The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 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