cantina

noun

can·​ti·​na kan-ˈtē-nə How to pronounce cantina (audio)
1
Southwestern US : a pouch or bag at the pommel of a saddle
2
Southwestern US : a small barroom : saloon

Examples of cantina in a Sentence

we spent an interesting evening in that desert town's lone cantina
Recent Examples on the Web The city also has a legendary nightlife scene, with many bars, cantinas, and clubs, most of which offer live music and are housed in centuries-old saloon-style buildings. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2024 After a few years, Ray shifted his attention full time to Casa Vega, turning it into one of the city’s most popular Mexican cantinas. Bill Esparza, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 One of the oldest cantinas in the city, El Cardenal Cantina has a guest list of regulars and transients every night of the week. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2024 Government workers stop in at century-old cantinas for an afternoon beer (try La Ópera for gilded old-world opulence or Salón Tenampa for some of the city's best tequila). Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023 San Miguel Chapultepec Restaurants The menu at Masala y Maíz explores the commonalities among the cuisines of Mexico, India, and East Africa, while El Mirador de Chapultepec is one of the city's classic cantinas. Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023 But pop-up parties have begun to appear on rooftops, in basements, and at run-down cantinas like the bizarre and beautiful La Faena, decorated with dusty shadow boxes of toreadors' costumes. Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023 His songs, which favor the traditional northern ranchera style, are staples at cantinas and restaurants, on radio airwaves and at weddings, baptisms and quinceañeras. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 1 May 2023 Located in Radiator Alley — just around the corner from Revolver Taco Lounge — the casual new venue is Rojas’ take on the Mexican cantina: a full bar serving elevated antojitos (appetizers) as well as mezcal and tequila-based cocktails. Dallas News, 28 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cantina.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Spanish, canteen, from Italian, wine cellar — more at canteen

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cantina was in 1844

Dictionary Entries Near cantina

Cite this Entry

“Cantina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cantina. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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