Etymology Map
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Pantry

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a small room or cupboard for storing food

Where does the word "pantry" come from? It comes from Latin panis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
panis
Latin · ancient
"bread"
the same root as 'companion', someone you share bread with
2
Stage 2 of 3
paneterie
Old French · medieval
"bread room"
the bread store of a great household, run by the 'panetier'
3
Stage 3 of 3
pantry
English · 1300s
"a food storeroom"
broadened to a store for all kinds of food
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Read the full story

Pantry’s story begins in Latin: panis meant “bread.” The same root as 'companion', someone you share bread with. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as paneterie. The bread store of a great household, run by the 'panetier'. It reached English by 1300s as pantry. Broadened to a store for all kinds of food. Today, pantry means a small room or cupboard for storing food.