canteen

A canteen is a term with multiple related meanings. Primarily, it refers to a portable container for carrying drinking water, typically made of metal or hard plastic and designed to be carried on a belt or in a bag. Most designs have a screw-on cap and often include a cup that fits around the lower portion of the vessel. Capacities commonly range from about 0.5 to 1 liter. Modern canteens use BPA-free materials and may incorporate insulation or be part of a larger hydration system for outdoor activities. In military and expedition use, the canteen is usually paired with a mess kit and a strap or sling for easy access.

Canteen also denotes a dining facility within an institution such as a school, workplace, hospital, or military base. These canteens provide meals or snacks, typically on a self-service basis, and may be subsidized or priced for staff and students. In this sense, a canteen functions as a cafeteria or dining hall, separate from the main kitchen of the institution.

Etymology and evolution: the word canteen comes from the French cantine, which in turn derives from Italian cantina, originally meaning a cellar, storehouse, or wine shop. Over time, the term broadened to describe both the container and the eating establishment.

Regional usage varies. In British English, canteen commonly means a workplace or school cafeteria. In American English, cafeteria or lunchroom is more typical for the dining facility, while canteen can still refer to a military water container or, in some institutions, a prison shop where inmates purchase goods.