noun
Uncommon
canton
KAN-tuhn
Canton (noun) means a political or administrative division of a country, such as one of the states of Switzerland. Example: “Switzerland is made up of twenty-six cantons, each with its own local government.”
noun
1
A political or administrative division of a country, such as one of the states of Switzerland.
"Switzerland is made up of twenty-six cantons, each with its own local government."
"Voters in each canton elect their own local parliament."
"The mountain canton was famous for its cheese and quiet villages."
verb
1
To divide a region into cantons, or to house troops by requisitioning local lodging.
"Troops were cantoned in the villages along the border."
"The army cantoned its soldiers in farmhouses for the whole winter."
"The commander ordered the regiment to be cantoned in the nearby town."
How to use canton
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA political subdivision of a country, most famously the states of Switzerland.
Common pairings
Swiss canton
canton government
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Word forms
- Plural
- cantons
- Third person singular
- cantons
- Past tense
- cantoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Switzerland is made up of twenty-six _____, each with its own local government.
Etymology
From Middle French canton, from Old French canton, "corner."
Related words
Rhymes for canton
See all rhymes for canton →Frequently asked questions
What does “canton” mean?
The word “canton” means a political or administrative division of a country, such as one of the states of Switzerland. In plain terms, a political subdivision of a country, most famously the states of Switzerland.
How do you pronounce “canton”?
“Canton” is pronounced KAN-tuhn (/ˈkæntən/ in IPA).
How do you use “canton” in a sentence?
Here is “canton” used in a sentence: “Switzerland is made up of twenty-six cantons, each with its own local government.”
What part of speech is “canton”?
Depending on how it is used, “canton” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “canton” come from?
The word “canton” comes from Old French. From Middle French canton, from Old French canton, "corner.".
Is “canton” a common word?
“Canton” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “canton” have?
“Canton” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a political or administrative division of a country, such as one of the states of Switzerland.
What is the difference between a canton and a state or province?
A canton is a specific type of administrative division, most famously used in Switzerland, where the country is divided into cantons that each have their own local government and a degree of autonomy. "State" and "province" are more general terms used in other countries for similar regional divisions, so canton is essentially Switzerland's version of a state.
How many cantons make up Switzerland?
Switzerland is made up of a number of cantons, each functioning as a self-governing member of the Swiss federation with its own constitution, government, and laws within the framework of national law. This structure reflects Switzerland's decentralized political system.
What does canton mean as a verb?
As a verb, to canton means either to divide a region into cantons or, in a military sense, to house troops by requisitioning lodging in a local area. This military meaning of "cantoned troops" is less common today but still appears in historical and military writing.
