cantina

noun

can·​ti·​na kan-ˈtē-nə 

1

Southwestern US : a pouch or bag at the pommel of a saddle

2

Southwestern US : a small barroom : saloon

Synonyms

• tavern
• cafe
• pub
• saloon
• bar

Examples of cantina in a Sentence

we spent an interesting evening in that desert town's lone cantina

Recent Examples on the Web

And for those over 21, there will be a cantina to quench your thirst. —Debby Rice, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025

Inside the intimate cantina, a curved bar stands at the center of a domed space with alcoves around the edges. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2025

Before peaking at about a dozen taquerias, cantinas and food trucks around Sacramento and Atlanta, Madrigal’s empire of tortillas and meats began on an unassuming block of Arden Way in Old North Sacramento. —Ethan Wolin updated July 29, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025

In Colima and other Pacific port towns, traces of the Manila galleon trade ripple through daily life – in kitchens, cantinas and even in architecture. —Stephen Acabado, The Conversation, 21 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Spanish, canteen, from Italian, wine cellar — more at canteen

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cantina

• arena
• athena
• carina
• carmina
• catena
• czarina
• domina
• equina
• farina
• galena
• glossina
• hyena