School / B1

kan-TEEN/kænˈtiːn/

A canteen is a dining room at a school, hospital, or workplace: the staff canteen; canteen food. Café is more public; restaurant is more formal. Refectory appears in some universities. Do not call a high-street sandwich shop a canteen. UK hospitals still talk of the canteen for night-shift meals.

Meaning

A place in a school, factory, or office where meals are served.

Examples

• “The hospital canteen stays open for the night shift.”
• “Prices in the school canteen rose after the catering contract changed.”

Good to know

staff / school / hospital canteen. Public: café. University twin: refectory. Not a high-street restaurant.

Topics

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