canteen

American  

[kan-teen] / kænˈtin /

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.

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canteen British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of canteen

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

Example Sentences

The canteen, where staff were playing ping pong and pool just 24 hours earlier, was transformed into a nightclub with more than 400 guests.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

The way Kilgore at first proudly offers his canteen to, but then thoughtlessly withdraws it from, an enemy soldier who is about to die is priceless, and reportedly based on a real incident.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

Last week, Liverpool posted a video with the caption 'Hugo Hugs', with Ekitike hugging one of the canteen staff that did the rounds.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

One woman posted an image on Xiaohongshu of the rice and vegetables she ate at the canteen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

Without warning Garrett appears out of what feels like thin air, and snatches the canteen from me.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

• flask
• water bottle