# bakery

/ˈbeɪkɝi/ (US) · /bˈeɪkəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bakery
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a shop or factory

noun · CEFR A1

a place where bread and cakes are made or sold.

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

- The smell of fresh bread always comes from the bakery early in the morning.
- The local bakery expanded its premises to include a small café area where customers could enjoy artisanal sourdough straight from the oven.

### 2. baked goods

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a collection of baked foods like bread and cookies.

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

- We bought some fresh bakery for the office party.
- 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.

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

### 3. the baker's trade

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the business or work of being a baker.

For teachers: the occupation, craft, or commercial trade of a baker.

- He spent his whole life learning the art of bakery.
- 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.

## Examples

- I buy fresh bread at the bakery every morning.
- The local bakery opens at five in the morning so that commuters can buy warm croissants on their way to work.
- While large supermarkets offer convenience, many residents prefer the artisanal bakery for its traditional sourdough and commitment to locally sourced grains.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.