Pantry: meaning, definitions and examples

A pantry is a small room or large cupboard where food, dishes, linens, and provisions are stored. It is commonly used in households that have enough space for a dedicated storage area.

• She went into the pantry to grab a can of tomatoes.
• The pantry was well-stocked with all kinds of snacks.

A cupboard is a piece of furniture with doors and shelves used for storing dishes, cups, food, and other items. It is a more general term and can refer to any storage cabinet in the kitchen or other parts of the house.

• He reached into the cupboard for a clean glass.
• The sugar is in the cupboard next to the stove.

A larder is an old-fashioned term for a cool area, often a small room or a large cupboard, used for storing perishable food before refrigerators were common. It's mainly used in historical or traditional contexts.

• The cook took some cheese out of the larder.
• In the old days, they kept meat in the larder to keep it cool.

A store cupboard is very similar to a pantry but often refers specifically to where dry goods and long-lasting food items are kept. It can be a part of the kitchen or a separate space.

• We need to restock the store cupboard with pasta and rice.
• The store cupboard is filled with canned goods and spices.

A pantry is often found in homes and is used for storing food and kitchen supplies. It's typically a small room or a large cupboard near the kitchen.

• I keep all the canned goods in the pantry.
• She went to the pantry to get some flour.

This term is more general and can be used in both residential and commercial settings. It refers to any room where items are stored, not limited to food or kitchen supplies.

• The store room is full of old furniture.
• We keep the cleaning supplies in the store room.

Similar to 'store room', 'storeroom' is also a general term used for a space designated to store items. It is one word and often refers to larger storage areas in commercial or industrial contexts.

• The storeroom in the back of the shop is where we keep extra inventory.
• He went into the storeroom to find another box of paper.

This is commonly used in office or institutional settings for storing office supplies, cleaning products, and other non-food items. It's usually a smaller space like a closet or a small room.

• The paper for the copier is in the supply closet.
• Please check the supply closet for more markers.