Word
canteen
Phoneticscan·teen, stress on the second syllable
US/kænˈtin/
UK/kɑːntˈiːn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a place in a school, office, or factory where people can buy and eat meals. It is usually more casual and cheaper than a restaurant.
n. a dining hall or cafeteria within an institution such as a school, workplace, or military base. Refers to both the physical space and the food service provided.
Examples
“I usually meet my friends for lunch in the school canteen.”
“The company canteen offers a variety of healthy options for employees during their thirty-minute break.”
“While the main office was modern and sleek, the basement canteen remained a relic of the seventies, complete with plastic trays and industrial-sized coffee urns.”
Examples
simple
“I usually meet my friends for lunch in the school canteen.”
contextual
“The company canteen offers a variety of healthy options for employees during their thirty-minute break.”
complex
“While the main office was modern and sleek, the basement canteen remained a relic of the seventies, complete with plastic trays and industrial-sized coffee urns.”
Usage
Commonly used in British and Commonwealth English; American English speakers typically prefer 'cafeteria'.
Etymology
Borrowed from French cantine, itself borrowed from Italian cantina. Doublet of cantina.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/canteen