pantry

American  

[pan-tree] / ˈpæn tri /

noun

plural

pantries

1. a room or closet in which food, groceries, and other provisions, or silverware, dishes, etc., are kept.

2. a room between the kitchen and dining room in which food is arranged for serving, glassware and dishes are stored, etc.

3.  food pantry.  a shelter or other place where food is dispensed to people experiencing food insecurity, either as groceries or as meals.

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pantry British  

/ ˈpæntrɪ /

noun

1. a small room or cupboard in which provisions, cooking utensils, etc, are kept; larder

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Etymology

Origin of pantry

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English panetrie, from Anglo-French; Old French paneterie “bread room,” equivalent to panet(er) “to bake bread” (derivative of pan “bread,” from Latin pānis ) + -erie noun suffix; see -ery

Explanation

A pantry is an area in or near a kitchen where food is stored. When you buy a hundred boxes of macaroni and cheese that are on sale, you'll need to make room in the pantry for them. Not every kitchen has a pantry, a dedicated space for storing food and other supplies. In some cases a pantry is a closet or cupboard with shelves, and sometimes a pantry is an entirely separate room adjacent to the kitchen. The Anglo-French source of pantry, panetrie, means "bread room," from the Medieval Latin panataria, "room of a servant in charge of food or bread." The Latin root, panis, means "bread."

Example Sentences

"But any time that I've walked past The Pantry, the queues have been massive."

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

The Mayer is one of the few businesses remaining in Hebron, alongside the Pizza Pantry and a newer coffee and lunch spot, Dark Side of the Brew.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

The charity runs three stores: The Pantry, The Attic and The Toy Chest, which opened earlier this year.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

Tensions between ownership and workers kickstarted in April 2023, when Pantry workers filed a lawsuit alleging unpaid wages for overtime, and rest and meal breaks.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2025

Six days later Janet stood at the counter of the Penny Pantry.

From "Frindle" by Andrew Clements

Related Words

• cellar
• closet
• cupboard