A pantry is an area in or near a kitchen where food is stored. When you buy a hundred boxes of macaroni and cheese that are on sale, you'll need to make room in the pantry for them. PANTRY meaning : 1. a small room or large cupboard in a house where food is kept 2. a small room or large cupboard…. Learn more. A pantry is a small room or cupboard in a house, usually near the kitchen, where food is kept. Learn more about the word origin, usage, and related terms of pantry from Collins English Dictionary. A pantry is a room or cupboard where food, beverages, or other items are stored. Learn about the origin, evolution, and varieties of pantries in different cultures and periods.