Pie: meaning, definitions and examples

A pie is typically a baked dish made with a crust and a filling, which can be sweet or savory. It is often round and can be served as a main dish or dessert.

• Apple pie is a classic American dessert
• / Chicken pot pie makes a comforting dinner

Pastry generally refers to various baked goods made from dough, including items like croissants, eclairs, and puff pastries. It is a broad term used for sweet and savory baked items.

• She enjoys a pastry with her coffee every morning
• / We bought an assortment of pastries for the office meeting

A tart is a type of pastry with a thick crust and an open top, filled with sweet or savory ingredients. It is often smaller in size than a pie and can be served as an appetizer or dessert.

• The lemon tart had a perfect balance of sweet and sour
• / They served a spinach and cheese tart as a starter

A flan is a delicate dessert with a creamy, custard base usually topped with caramel. It is more common in Latin American and Spanish cuisine and is usually served chilled.

• The restaurant's dessert menu features a delicious coconut flan
• / Flan is a popular treat during holidays in many cultures

Use when referring to the entire dessert or metaphorically to describe a whole entity.

• She baked a delicious apple pie for dessert.
• He wanted a larger piece of the pie in the company profits.

This term can be used both as a noun and a verb, typically to describe the act of dividing and distributing something among multiple people or the portion one receives.

• He gave her an extra share of the pie.
• They decided to share the pie equally among their friends.

Best used when describing a part of something that has been divided, focusing on the amount or size of the divided parts.

• She made sure everyone got a fair portion of the pie.
• The portion size at this restaurant is quite generous.

Appropriate for describing the action of dividing something into pieces, particularly with the use of a sharp tool.

• She used a knife to cut the pie into equal slices.
• The barber cut his hair very short.

The word 'pie' refers to a savory or sweet baked dish commonly made with a crust and a filling of various ingredients. It is often used in culinary contexts.

• I made an apple pie for dessert.
• They enjoyed a slice of pumpkin pie during Thanksgiving.

Choose 'distribute' when referring to the act of giving out or spreading items or services among a number of recipients. This term is common in logistics, supply chain, and general contexts.

• The organization distributed food to the homeless.
• The teacher distributed the papers to the students.

Use 'allocate' when referring to the distribution or assignment of resources or tasks, usually in a formal or official manner. This term is often used in business, finance, or project management contexts.

• The manager allocated tasks to each team member.
• Funds were allocated for the new project.

Use 'share' when referring to the act of giving a portion of something to others or using something jointly with others. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

• She shared her lunch with her friend.
• They share an apartment.