canton

1 of 2

noun (1)

can·​ton ˈkan-tᵊn 

-ˌtän

: a small territorial division of a country: such as

a

: one of the states of the Swiss confederation

b

: a division of a French arrondissement

cantonal

ˈkan-tə-nəl  kan-ˈtä-nᵊl 

adjective

canton

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

obsolete : division, section

2

: the top inner quarter of a flag

3

: the dexter chief region of a heraldic field

Examples of canton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Results were still pending from many of Switzerland’s 26 cantons. — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

Results were still pending from many of Switzerland's 26 cantons. — CBS News, 14 June 2026

Applicants who gain admission are distributed to cantons throughout the country, where they are expected to complete workforce- and language-integration programs. — Jessi Jezewska Stevens, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

German is the most prevalent, but French is the default in the west of the country, Italian in the south (nearest to the borders of those countries), while Romansh is more obscure and pops up in a couple of cantons (states, or counties) towards the east. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French, from Italian cantone, from canto corner, from Latin canthus iron tire — more at cant entry 4

Noun (2)

Middle French, from Old Occitan, from cant edge, corner, from Latin canthus

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1522, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing canton

• canton flannel

Rhymes for canton

• plantain
• dilantin

Kids Definition

canton

noun

can·​ton

ˈkant-ᵊn, 

ˈkan-ˌtän

1

: a division of a country (as Switzerland)

2

: the top inner quarter of a flag

Geographical Definition

Canton

geographical name

Can·​ton ˈkan-tᵊn 

1

city in northeastern Ohio south-southeast of Akron population 73,007

2

see guangzhou