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

The closure impacts Phantom Ranch's lodge and canteen. —Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 16 Jan. 2026

In busy areas – such as school zones, dormitories, canteens, tourist spots, or construction sites – traffic naturally slows down, meaning a fast-moving vehicle may never trigger a traditional overspeed warning. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Nov. 2025

In 2023, the aesthete also collaborated with Italian leather accessories firm Il Bisonte for a set of luxurious canteen-style trays. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 13 Nov. 2025

Punishment for her infractions involved the loss of visitation, canteen and telephone privileges. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025

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

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for canteen

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between

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)