canteen

noun

can·​teen kan-ˈtēn How to pronounce canteen (audio)
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
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 Tall laundry bins held hundreds of American military canteens and current-issue British camouflage uniforms and equipment. Charles W. McFarlane, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The kids, grouped in teams with names like Rascally Raccoons and Brave Bears, listened to Bible stories, played games, made their own canteens in craft class and sang hymns designed for young voices. Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 No one going to prison expects a spa experience from the canteens and commissaries selling personal-care products to the population. Marci Robin, Allure, 25 Jan. 2024 Sometimes these meetings could be quick catch-ups for a coffee break or in the staff canteen. Rachel Wells, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 And now, a new bill seeks to create a less discriminatory hair-care inventory at prison canteens in California. Marci Robin, Allure, 25 Jan. 2024 Even then the pitch was delivered in an ad hoc way in a crowded canteen. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 21 Jan. 2024 The canteen became an emotional outlet for both volunteers and troops, says Endorf. Annika Hipple, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023 Workers had access to a canteen, a convenience store that sold Chinese products, a Chinese restaurant, a small casino called the Golden Horse and a karaoke bar. Isabelle Qian, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canteen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of canteen was in 1737

Dictionary Entries Near canteen

Cite this Entry

“Canteen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canteen. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

canteen

noun
can·​teen kan-ˈtēn How to pronounce canteen (audio)
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)

More from Merriam-Webster on canteen

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