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

She nibbled on the nuts instead and was grateful for a swallow of warm, metallic-tasting water from her canteen.

From Literature

Practitioners of downward dog and their actual dogs patronize this tangerine-colored canteen.

From The Wall Street Journal

This tight-knit group of players were watching on in the canteen as Union discovered their opponents in the Champions League draw last month.

From BBC

Year 11 students were initially told to use a hatch and eat outside, but following feedback, the school allowed Year 11s to use other year groups' canteens during a specified time period.

From BBC

It says the new centres would be "basic but not punitive", containing prefabricated two-person rooms, on-site medical facilities, and canteen catering.

From BBC

Related Words

• flask
• water bottle