# canteen

/kænˈtin/ (US) · /kɑːntˈiːn/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/canteen
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in British and Commonwealth English; American English speakers typically prefer 'cafeteria'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.