Illustration of credenza
- credenza 2
credenza
noun
cre·den·za
kri-ˈden-zə 
1
2
: a sideboard, buffet, or bookcase patterned after a Renaissance credence
especially
: one without legs
Did you know?
In Italian credenza means “belief” or “confidence,” and confidence is just what a member of a noble or royal household needed before eating in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Being poisoned by one’s enemies was an ever-present danger. As a result, it was customary for members of royal or noble families to have a servant taste their food and drink after it left the kitchen and before it was served. The tasting was done at a dining room sideboard, and the name of the sideboard became credenza in Italian.
Examples of credenza in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While objectively high in price, the sofa, the coffee table, and the credenza are all well priced for their size.
—
Collier Sutter, Architectural Digest, 12 Sep. 2025
Demetrius Shumpert and Mingo then forced Jungwirth to open credenza drawers while demanding money.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2025
Another trick is to take 4-6 pretty glasses and a decanter and display them together on a tray on a console or credenza.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
It’s built to look like a small apartment with a bedroom, which has a bed, bureau and mirror; living room with a couch, TV and view of outside; and office space with desk, credenza and small TV.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for credenza
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Collier Sutter, Architectural Digest, 12 Sep. 2025
Demetrius Shumpert and Mingo then forced Jungwirth to open credenza drawers while demanding money.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2025
Another trick is to take 4-6 pretty glasses and a decanter and display them together on a tray on a console or credenza.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
It’s built to look like a small apartment with a bedroom, which has a bed, bureau and mirror; living room with a couch, TV and view of outside; and office space with desk, credenza and small TV.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for credenza
Cite this Entry
“Credenza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credenza. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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