pantry

noun

pan·try ˈpan-trē

plural pantries

Synonyms of pantry

: a room or closet used for storage (as of provisions) or from which food is brought to the table

: a room (as in a hotel or hospital) for preparation of foods on order

Examples of pantry in a Sentence

homemade jams and pickles are stored in a separate pantry off the kitchen

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Many homeowners are setting these up by task, such as a breakfast cabinet, a coffee cabinet, a baking pantry, an appliance cabinet or a snack pantry, and that approach is likely to keep showing up in kitchen design ideas. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026 Along with tips for creating a Mediterranean pantry, shopping, menu-pairing, the book also promotes healthy lifestyle habits such as getting regular exercise and enough rest. — Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Panel-ready appliances, dedicated pantry zones, pullout storage and smarter drawer organization all solve the same basic problem, which is having too many things fighting for too little usable space. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Made with a few pantry staples, these bars are no-bake and do not require a mixer or oven. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pantry

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of pantry was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

pantropical

pantry

pantryman

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pantry. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

pantry

noun

Synonyms of pantry

Examples of pantry in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

pantry

noun

Synonyms of pantry

Examples of pantry in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing pantry

Rhymes for pantry

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes