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bakery

n.
US //ˈbeɪkɝi// UK //bˈeɪkəɹi// bak·ery
  1. 1 a shop or factory (n.)
    A1 Beginner Cooking

    a place where bread and cakes are made or sold.

    a place where bread, pastries, and cakes are baked or sold as a primary business.

    Example

    The smell of fresh bread always comes from the bakery early in the morning.

    Example

    The local bakery expanded its premises to include a small café area where customers could enjoy artisanal sourdough straight from the oven.

    • bakehouse
    • patisserie
  2. 2 baked goods (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Cooking

    a collection of baked foods like bread and cookies.

    a collective term for various baked products, particularly in American English usage.

    Example

    We bought some fresh bakery for the office party.

    Example

    The supermarket aisle was stocked with a wide variety of fresh bakery, ranging from simple white loaves to elaborate fruit tarts.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun in this sense.

    Teacher's tip

    This collective use is more common in North America; British speakers usually say 'baked goods' or 'pastries'.

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  1. 3 the baker's trade (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the business or work of being a baker.

    the occupation, craft, or commercial trade of a baker.

    Example

    He spent his whole life learning the art of bakery.

    Example

    The historical museum features an exhibit dedicated to the evolution of bakery from medieval communal ovens to industrial production lines.

    Usage

    Used as an uncountable noun to describe the industry or profession.

Origin

From bake + -ery (“place of”). Replaced earlier bakehouse. Originally "place for making bread"; as "shop where baked goods are sold", it was believed by British travelers by 1832 to be an American-invented term.

Idioms1 entry

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