canteen
noun
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Definition of canteen
1a : 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
2a : 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 last place serving food was the canteen at the local hospital, which shuttered in 2010. — Michael Meyer, New York Times, "A Pittsburgh Area Restaurant That Trades Fussy for Fun," 7 July 2018 The Union Station canteen was not the only place in Indianapolis for the Armed Forces. — Dawn Mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "Union Station canteen was 'home away from home' for fighting forces," 30 Mar. 2018 Meanwhile, rising unemployment and the rolling back of assistance programs have hurt northerners like Suwanna Khanadham, who owns a canteen in Chiang Mai selling khao soi, or curry noodle soup. — Time, "Thailand’s Leader Promised to Restore Democracy. Instead He's Tightening His Grip," 21 June 2018 Together, the two companies have created six items — three 16-ounce canteens and three 16-ounce tumblers — featuring three different motifs. — Olivia Harrison, refinery29.com, "Rifle Paper Co.'s Iconic Designs Are Coming To Water Bottles & Tumblers," 12 June 2018 Cuba’s socialist government pays for his education but the stipend for living expenses is just $4 a month, enough for ten meals at the university canteen. — The Economist, "Cuba bids goodbye to the revolutionary generation," 12 Apr. 2018 From here Chan commutes 40 minutes to the Four Seasons by subway, wobbling into the staff canteen around 9 am for rice porridge and news. — Casey Quackenbush / Hong Kong, Time, "'We're Not Educated.' The Untold Story of Lung King Heen, the World's First Michelin Three-Star Chinese Restaurant," 12 July 2018 An Ouimet scholar, Mr. Foley briefly attended Boston College before operating a canteen truck business from 1958 to 1966, including weekend stops at the 10th tee at Wollaston. — Marvin Pave, BostonGlobe.com, "Bill Foley, 80, amateur golf champion and Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund official," 12 May 2018 The Union Station canteen was originally staffed with 50 volunteers. — Dawn Mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "Union Station canteen was 'home away from home' for fighting forces," 30 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'canteen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for canteen
canteen
noun
English Language Learners Definition of canteen
: a store in a camp, school, etc., in which food, drinks, and small supplies are sold
: a place where drinks and entertainment are provided for soldiers at a military base or camp
: a place where food is served in a factory, school, etc.
See the full definition for canteen in the English Language Learners Dictionary
canteen
noun
\
Kids Definition of canteen
1 : a store (as in a camp or factory) 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 water or another liquid a hiker's canteen
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