1. A small room or closet, usually off a kitchen, where food, tableware, linens, and similar items are stored.
2. A small room used for the preparation of cold foods.

[Middle English pantrie, from Old French paneterie, bread-closet, from panetier, pantry servant, from pan, bread, from Latin pānis.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.