canteen
/kænˈtiːn/ (bre, ipa) · /kænˈtiːn/ (ame, ipa) · /kan-ˈtēn/ (ame, mw)
canteen — noun
1. a large room inside a workplace, school, or factory where hot and cold meals, sn
a large room inside a workplace, school, or factory where hot and cold meals, snacks, and drinks are offered for sale, usually for less money than in ordinary restaurants
The school canteen serves rice, noodles, and soup every day at lunch.
collocation: school canteen / serves meals
Leila always buys a cheap sandwich from the office canteen instead of going out.
A queue formed quickly outside the factory canteen when the lunch bell rang.
Priya found a quiet corner in the hospital canteen to eat her meal.
The university canteen stays open until seven in the evening for students.
- cafeteria
more common in American English; often implies self-service in an institutional setting
- dining hall
more formal; often used for large institutional spaces like college dormitories
- mess hall
military context only; refers to a place where soldiers eat together
用法筆記
Common in British English to refer to a workplace or school cafeteria. In American English, 'cafeteria' or 'lunchroom' is more frequent.
常見錯誤
2. a place on a military base where soldiers gather to buy drinks, chat with each o
a place on a military base where soldiers gather to buy drinks, chat with each other, and pick up simple food — a relaxed hangout for armed forces personnel
After training, the soldiers went to the canteen for a cold drink.
domain: military / collocation: soldiers + canteen
The army canteen had a few tables where off-duty officers could play cards.
Tomás bought crisps and a soft drink at the base canteen before returning to his quarters.
The base canteen also sells basic toiletries and stationery, not just food.
用法筆記
This sense is primarily British military vocabulary. In American English, 'PX' (Post Exchange) or 'mess' is more commonly used for the same type of facility.
3. a small shop inside a military camp, school, or large office building that sells
a small shop inside a military camp, school, or large office building that sells drinks, packaged snacks, and everyday items such as soap or notebooks
Ravi bought a bottle of water and a chocolate bar from the camp canteen.
collocation: camp canteen + everyday items
The school canteen sells stationery and small toys alongside its usual snacks.
Yara went to the office canteen to buy biscuits for the afternoon meeting.
Hana realised she had forgotten her pen and bought one at the small canteen downstairs.
- tuck shop
British term for a small shop selling sweets and snacks, typically in a school
- convenience store
broader term for a small shop selling everyday items, not limited to institutional settings
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with sense 1 (cafeteria) but emphasises the retail-shop aspect rather than a full dining area. The shop is usually a counter or small room, not a place to sit and eat a full meal.
4. a small metal or plastic container for carrying drinking water or another liquid
a small metal or plastic container for carrying drinking water or another liquid, traditionally used by soldiers, campers, or hikers
Each soldier carried a full canteen on their belt during the long march.
collocation: carry a canteen / on one's belt
Noa filled his canteen with water from the stream before continuing the hike.
Beatriz hung her canteen over her shoulder as she set off across the desert trail.
A metal canteen keeps water cool longer than a plastic bottle does in summer heat.
The old canvas cover protected Diego's canteen from getting scratched inside his backpack.
- water bottle
the common everyday term for a portable container for drinking water
- flask
can refer to a canteen-like container but more often means a narrow-necked bottle or a hip flask for alcohol
- hip flask
small flat bottle carried in a pocket, usually for alcoholic drinks
用法筆記
Unlike a 'water bottle', a canteen is traditionally wider and flatter, designed to be strapped to a belt or pack. The word is less frequently used today for everyday plastic water bottles.
常見錯誤
5. a small flat box or case designed to store eating utensils such as forks, knives
a small flat box or case designed to store eating utensils such as forks, knives, and spoons in an organised way, often used while travelling or camping
Grandmother's silver canteen contains twelve place settings of cutlery.
collocation: silver canteen / place settings of cutlery
Kofi packed the canteen of stainless-steel cutlery for the family camping trip.
A leather canteen with engraved initials held Wen's favourite set of antique knives and forks.
The wooden canteen opened like a drawer to reveal rows of neatly arranged spoons.
- cutlery box
everyday term for a box that stores knives, forks, and spoons
- flatware chest
American term for a lined storage box for silverware
用法筆記
This sense is relatively rare and formal. Most English speakers would say 'cutlery box' or 'flatware chest' in everyday conversation. 'Canteen of cutlery' is a fixed phrase in British English, especially when referring to a silverware set.