canton
a small territorial district, especially one of the states of the Swiss confederation.
(in a department of France) a division of an arrondissement.
Heraldry. a square area in the dexter chief, or right-hand corner, of an escutcheon, often distinctively treated: a diminutive of the dexter chief quarter.
Architecture. a pilaster or similar feature projecting from the corner of a building.
Obsolete. a division, part, or portion of anything.
to divide into parts or portions.
to divide into cantons or territorial districts.
to allot quarters to (soldiers, troops, etc.).
Origin of canton
1Other words from canton
- can·ton·al, adjective
- can·ton·al·ism, noun
- un·can·toned, adjective
Other definitions for Canton (2 of 2)
Older Spelling. a seaport in and the capital of Guangdong province, in southeastern China, on the Zhu Jiang. : Also called (Older Spelling) Kwang·chow [kwahng-choh, kwang-; Chinese gwahng-joh], /ˈkwɑŋˈtʃoʊ, ˈkwæŋ-; Chinese ˈgwɑŋˈdʒoʊ/, (Pinyin) Guang·zhou [Chinese gwahng-joh], /Chinese ˈgwɑŋˈdʒoʊ/, (Wade-Giles) Kuang·chou [gwahng-joh] /ˈgwɑŋˈdʒoʊ/ .
a city in northeastern Ohio: location of the football Hall of Fame.
a city in eastern Massachusetts.
a city in western central Illinois.
a town in central Mississippi.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for canton (1 of 2)
any of the 23 political divisions of Switzerland
a subdivision of a French arrondissement
(ˈkæntən) heraldry a small square or oblong charge on a shield, usually in the top left corner
(kænˈtɒn) (tr) to divide into cantons
(kənˈtuːn) (esp formerly) to allocate accommodation to (military personnel)
Origin of canton
1Derived forms of canton
- cantonal, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for Canton (2 of 2)
(kænˈtɒn) a port in SE China, capital of Guangdong province, on the Zhu Jiang (Pearl River): the first Chinese port open to European trade. Pop: 3 881 000 (2005 est): Chinese names: Guangzhou, Kwangchow
(ˈkæntən) a city in the US, in NE Ohio. Pop: 80 806 (2000)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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