pantry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, leaning slightly formal. Common in domestic and culinary contexts.
Quick answer
What does “pantry” mean?
A small room or cupboard in a house, typically adjacent to a kitchen, used for storing food, drinks, dishes, and other kitchen items.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small room or cupboard in a house, typically adjacent to a kitchen, used for storing food, drinks, dishes, and other kitchen items.
A storage facility for food and provisions, historically a room in a large house where bread and other foods were kept. More broadly, it can refer to a charitable organization or service that provides food to those in need (e.g., food pantry).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic difference. The term 'larder' is a closer synonym in British English and may be used interchangeably, though 'pantry' is still common.
Connotations
Slightly more old-fashioned or associated with larger, traditional houses in UK usage. In US usage, it's a standard term for a kitchen storage area, even in modern homes.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English. 'Larder' is less common in contemporary American English.
Grammar
How to Use “pantry” in a Sentence
in the + pantrypantry + is stocked withkeep + [something] + in the pantrystore + [something] + in the pantryVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in the context of restaurant or hotel management referring to storage areas.
Academic
Rare, except in historical or sociological studies (e.g., 'the role of the pantry in Victorian households' or 'access to community food pantries').
Everyday
Common. Used when discussing home organization, cooking, and grocery shopping.
Technical
Used in architecture/interior design (specifications for kitchen layouts) and in the charity sector (food pantry operations).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pantry”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈpɑːntri/ (using a long 'a'). Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I'll pantry these cans').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. 'Larder' traditionally implied a cool storage area for perishables, while 'pantry' was for dry goods and bread. In modern usage, they are often synonymous, though 'larder' is more common in British English and can sound slightly old-fashioned.
Yes. The term 'food pantry' or 'community pantry' refers to a charitable organization that distributes food to people in need.
A pantry is typically a small room or a large, dedicated cupboard, often walk-in, specifically for food storage. A standard 'cupboard' is smaller, more generic storage for various items, not necessarily food.
It is neutral. It is the standard, widely understood term for this domestic space and is not overly formal or informal.
A small room or cupboard in a house, typically adjacent to a kitchen, used for storing food, drinks, dishes, and other kitchen items.
Pantry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpæntri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpæntri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “raid the pantry”
- “pantry challenge (cooking using only pantry staples)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PANtry' – you store pans and other items for making food in it.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOURCE OF NOURISHMENT/SUSTENANCE ('The project's financial pantry was looking bare.')
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of a 'pantry' in a modern home?