canteen

[ kan-teen ]

noun

1. a small container used especially by soldiers and hikers for carrying water or other liquids.
2. a general store and cafeteria at a military base.
3. a place where free entertainment is provided for military personnel.
4. a place, as in a factory, school, or summer camp, where refreshments and sometimes personal supplies are sold.
5. a recreation center or social club, especially for teenagers.
6. a place set up to dispense food during an emergency.
7. a snack bar.
8. British. a box or chest for cutlery and other table utensils.

canteen

/ kænˈtiːn /

noun

1. a restaurant attached to a factory, school, etc, providing meals for large numbers of people
2. 1. a small shop that provides a limited range of items, such as toilet requisites, to a military unit
   2. a recreation centre for military personnel
3. a soldier's eating and drinking utensils
4. a temporary or mobile stand at which food is provided
5. 1. a box in which a set of cutlery is laid out
   2. the cutlery itself
6. a flask or canister for carrying water or other liquids, as used by soldiers or travellers

Word History and Origins

Origin of canteen¹

1730–40; < French cantine < Italian cantina cellar, perhaps derivative of canto corner ( cant ² ) with -ina -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of canteen¹

C18: from French cantine, from Italian cantina wine cellar, from canto corner, from Latin canthus iron hoop encircling chariot wheel; see cant ²

Example Sentences

It reached a mystified June Spencer while she was getting lunch in the BBC canteen.

From BBC

A good chunk of that money went to paying restitution, while the remainder helped him stockpile cheap soups from the canteen.

From Los Angeles Times

“The main thing is just not to starve to death,” one video blogger advised in a post detailing how she subsisted on snack samples and free meals from temples and student canteens.

From Los Angeles Times

Sharan started to avoid the school canteen as a result and would spend lunch money on trinkets and hobbies, rather than food.

From BBC

It then went on to hit the canteen of an army base.

From BBC

Related Words

• flask
• water bottle