bakery

American  

[bey-kuh-ree, beyk-ree] / ˈbeɪ kə ri, ˈbeɪk ri /

noun

plural

bakeries

1. Also called bakeshop.  a baker's shop.

2. a place where baked goods are made.

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bakery British  

/ ˈbeɪkərɪ /

noun

1. Also called: bakehouse.  a room or building equipped for baking

2. a shop in which bread, cakes, etc, are sold

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Etymology

Origin of bakery

1535–45; baker + -y ³; now taken as bake + -ery

Explanation

A bakery is a shop that sells bread and other baked goods. Your neighborhood bakery might specialize in frosted cupcakes. Some bakeries are storefronts selling a selection of pies, cakes, breads, and cookies, while others are simply places where these items are made, to be sold in other shops. People who work in a bakery are bakers — their work involves mixing batter, kneading dough, and cooking baked goods in hot ovens. The earlier term was bakehouse, which was replaced in the US by bakery in the 19th century.

Example Sentences

“They bought the bakery but not the wheat field,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The bakery chain is largely franchised, a business model that private-equity firms have been attracted to because it can offer predictable revenue streams.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

He said he was no longer able to make a living from his bakery because almost all his customers had fled.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

The bakery now has a long-term lease, as do other graduates of the program, including Mello flower shop, arts-and-crafts studio Craftivity and Whack Donuts.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Cat ordered and paid, then handed Chicken the crinkly bakery bag with three sesame buns inside.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn