canton

[ kan-tn, -ton, kan-ton for 1-7; kan-ton, -tohn, or, especially British, -toon for 8 ]

/ ˈkæn tn, -tɒn, kænˈtɒn for 1-7; kænˈtɒn, -ˈtoʊn, or, especially British, -ˈtun for 8 /

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noun

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.

verb (used with object)

to divide into parts or portions.

to divide into cantons or territorial districts.

to allot quarters to (soldiers, troops, etc.).

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showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

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Origin of canton

1525–35; <Middle French <Old Provençal, derivative of can side, edge (see cant²)

OTHER WORDS FROM canton

can·ton·al, adjectivecan·ton·al·ism, nounun·can·toned, adjective

Words nearby canton

cantling, can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, can't make head or tail of, canto, canto fermo, canton, Canton crepe, Canton enamel, Cantonese, Canton flannel, canton ginger

Other definitions for canton (2 of 2)

Canton

[ kan-ton, kan-ton for 1; kan-tn for 2-5 ]

/ kænˈtɒn, ˈkæn tɒn for 1; ˈkæn tn for 2-5 /

noun

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. 2022

How to use canton in a sentence

A July photo shows Stepp outside a Canton apartment building where officers stole an expensive handbag — Stepp said he was waiting for Jenkins to toss drugs off a balcony to him.
Ex-bail bondsman who helped Gun Trace Task Force leader sell drugs is home from prison|Justin Fenton|June 30, 2021|Washington Post
Seven high school football coaches in Canton, Ohio, have been let go after they allegedly forced a 17-year-old player, who is a Hebrew Israelite and cannot consume pork, to eat a pepperoni pizza in front of the team as part of a punishment.
High school football coaches lose jobs after forcing player who can’t consume pork to eat pepperoni pizza|Lateshia Beachum|June 4, 2021|Washington Post
Jones and his wife, Rina Jones, were preparing to leave from their home in the Canton neighborhood for Vermont that weekend to visit Rina’s mother, who is in the final stages of lung cancer and has stopped treatment since her December diagnosis.
A Baltimore restaurant owner drove 6 hours to cook a favorite meal for a terminally ill customer|Cathy Free|March 18, 2021|Washington Post
Now you start to see how the bar would move if Rivers were to make it into Canton.
Sorry, but Philip Rivers is not a Hall of Fame quarterback|Neil Greenberg|January 22, 2021|Washington Post

His career, especially when looked at in relation to other quarterbacks of his era, doesn’t measure up to Canton’s standards.
Sorry, but Philip Rivers is not a Hall of Fame quarterback|Neil Greenberg|January 22, 2021|Washington Post
The Democrat's early voting edge in Stark means that they are confident of winning the cities of Canton, Massillon, and Alliance.
Nightmare Scenario—Ohio’s Provisional Ballots May Be 2012’s Hanging Chads|John Avlon|November 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Last winter saw a battle at Plymouth-Canton Community Schools in Michigan.
How Toni Morrison’s ‘Beloved’ Is Taught in Schools|Anna Clark|October 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The memory of 1912, Carlisle, and Canton was as fresh as yesterday in that pre-television era.
The Most Wonderful Athlete in the World: Jim Thorpe’s Story|Kate Buford|August 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In 1915 Thorpe started also playing and coaching the “reptile sport” of professional football in Canton, Ohio.
The Most Wonderful Athlete in the World: Jim Thorpe’s Story|Kate Buford|August 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“I am totally undecided,” says Ryan Ayers, an independent voter who lives in Canton, Ohio and who voted for John McCain in 2008.
Independents Are Growing in Number and Drifting Away From Obama|Linda Killian|December 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Capitulation of the city of Canton, which had forfeited previous stipulations with the British and resumed hostilities.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
I resolved to stop only a few days in Victoria, as it was my wish to arrive at Canton as soon as possible.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
I visited during my stay in Canton as many workshops of the different artists as I could.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
For miles below Canton, the villages follow one another in quick succession.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
It is only during the last few years that we European women have been allowed to visit or remain in the factories at Canton.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer

British Dictionary definitions for canton (1 of 2)

canton

noun (ˈkæntɒn, kænˈtɒn)

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

verb

(kænˈtɒn) (tr) to divide into cantons

(kənˈtuːn) (esp formerly) to allocate accommodation to (military personnel)

Derived forms of canton

cantonal, adjective

Word Origin for canton

C16: from Old French: corner, division, from Italian cantone, from canto corner, from Latin canthus iron rim; see cant ²

British Dictionary definitions for canton (2 of 2)

Canton

noun

(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

canton

Origin of canton

OTHER WORDS FROM canton

Words nearby canton

Other definitions for canton (2 of 2)

Words related to canton

How to use canton in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for canton (1 of 2)

Derived forms of canton

Word Origin for canton

British Dictionary definitions for canton (2 of 2)