canter

noun cant·er \ ˈkan-tər \

Definition of canter

:one who uses cant: such as

a :beggar, vagabond

b :a user of professional or religious cant

First Known Use of canter

1609

canter

verb can·ter \ ˈkan-tər \

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

See canter defined for English-language learners

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1706

See Words from the same year

Other Equestrian Terms

canter, cantle, curry, farrier, hunter, paddock, router, skirt, tack

canter

noun can·ter

Definition of canter

1 :a 3-beat gait resembling but smoother and slower than the gallop

2 :a ride at a canter

First Known Use of canter

1755

Other Equestrian Terms

cantle, curry, farrier, hunter, paddock, router, skirt, tack

CANTER Defined for English Language Learners

canter

verb

Definition of canter for English Language Learners

of a horse : to run fairly fast : to run at a canter
: to ride on a horse that is running fairly fast : to ride a horse at a canter

CANTER Defined for Kids

canter

noun can·ter \ ˈkan-tər \

Definition of canter for Students

:a horse's gait resembling but slower than a gallop

canter

verb

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

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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Other Equestrian Terms

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