canteen

noun

can·​teen kan-ˈtēn 

1

a

: a portable chest with compartments for carrying bottles or for cooking and eating utensils

b

: a flask for carrying liquids (as on a hike)

c

: mess kit

d

British : a chest for storing flatware

2

a

: a bar at a military post or camp

b

: a general store at a military post : exchange

c

: an establishment that serves as an informal social club (as for soldiers or a community's teenagers)

d

: a small cafeteria or snack bar

Examples of canteen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sign-off is required on canteen orders as well, such as when carrots are bought in bulk. —Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024

This shoulder-strap canteen makes a fun gift for hikers who might use it for water or whiskey. —Lauren Mazzo, Glamour, 10 Dec. 2024

Max, a young boy, and his mother from a mobile home community came to one of our feeding canteens for a meal. —Dale Bannon, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Staff now eat from smaller plates in the canteen to cut food waste; anything left goes to some of the luckiest pigs in Sweden. —Heather Farmbrough, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French cantine bottle case, sutler's shop, from Italian cantina wine cellar, probably from canto corner, from Latin canthus iron tire — more at cant entry 4

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

canteen

noun

can·​teen kan-ˈtēn 

1

: a store (as in a camp) in which food, drinks, and small supplies are sold

2

: a place of recreation and entertainment for people in military service

3

: a small container for carrying liquids (as on a hike)