canteen

noun

can·teen | \ kan-ˈtēn

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 move takes effect from September, when the new academic year begins, and will affect all canteens, cafes and food outlets on the university's grounds. — Rob Picheta, CNN, "A university has banned beef to help fight climate change," 13 Aug. 2019 Even though the campus seems quiet and somewhat empty, the canteen is bustling. — The Economist, "China’s Silicon Valley is transforming China, but not yet the world," 11 July 2019 And behind that is a canteen that is still and actually pretty good condition. — Fox News, "Police say they may never know Las Vegas shooter's motive," 3 Aug. 2018 In Waterloo, Iowa, the Salvation Army was combatting the heat and trying to keep people safe by distributing water, popsicles and other treats in a mobile canteen. — Phil Helsel, NBC News, "Searing heat grips much of the U.S. — with the worst of it still to come for many," 19 July 2019 Internal Vale documents reviewed by the Journal show that the company had already mapped out the areas that would be affected if some of its dams burst, showing the canteen would be hit in the case of the Brumadinho site. — Luciana Magalhaes, WSJ, "Blasts Probed in Brazil Dam Burst," 25 June 2019 Bill Shanley and his canteen, which was lost in France during World War II and returned to his daughter in Chicago. Etched in the metal is his signature, a naked woman and his Army serial number. — Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "Daywatch: What's in the Illinois state budget, 75th anniversary of D-Day and other things to know to start your day," 6 June 2019 But five months after its collapse, Brazilian authorities are still trying to understand what suddenly triggered its rupture that sunny Friday in January, as workers sat down to lunch at the mine’s canteen at the foot of the dam. — Luciana Magalhaes, WSJ, "Blasts Probed in Brazil Dam Burst," 25 June 2019 The 30-member group operates three canteen vehicles, and makes about 90 runs per year. — Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, "Sunnyvale community briefs for the week of June 21," 21 June 2019

These 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.