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

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

Mind you, the entire infantry kit in those days didn't go far beyond a rifle, bayonet, canteen, mess tins, and an entrenching tool balanced with the odd hand grenade. —New Atlas, 26 Oct. 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)