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

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

The concessionaire also runs a canteen and gift shop selling lunch items like burgers, meatball subs, hot dogs, ice creams, and smoothies. —Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2024

As a result, Smith lost her telephone, tablet and canteen privileges for 90 days, according to the department. —Chris Boyette, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024

In 2010 and 2015, she was penalized with disciplinary detention and the loss of canteen privileges for using drugs, including marijuana, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections. —Juliette Arcodia, NBC News, 20 Nov. 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)