From the M-W Editors
1609
First Known Use of canter
1609
Definition of canter
intransitive verb
1 : to move at or as if at a canter : lope
2 : to ride a horse at a canter
transitive verb
: to cause to go at a canter
Examples of canter in a Sentence
The horses cantered across the grass.
We cantered off toward the lake.
Origin and Etymology of canter
short for obsolete canterbury, noun (canter), from Canterbury, England; from the supposed gait of pilgrims riding to Canterbury
First Known Use: 1706
canter
Definition of canter
1 : a 3-beat gait resembling but smoother and slower than the gallop
2 : a ride at a canter
1755
First Known Use of canter
1755
CANTER Defined for English Language Learners
canter
playDefinition of canter for English Language Learners
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of a horse : to run fairly fast : to run at a canter
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: to ride on a horse that is running fairly fast : to ride a horse at a canter
CANTER Defined for Kids
Definition of canter for Students
: a horse's gait resembling but slower than a gallop
Definition of canter for Students
cantered
;cantering
: to run with a movement that resembles but is slower than a gallop Below he saw the Black cantering along the beach. — Walter Farley, The Black Stallion
Learn More about canter
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See words that rhyme with canter Spanish Central: Translation of canter Nglish: Translation of canter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of canter for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canter
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