Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

chaton

noun
cha·​ton | \ (ˈ)sha¦tōⁿ\
plural chatons\ -​ōⁿ(z) \

Definition of chaton

1 : the head of a ring in which a stone is set or on which a device is engraved
2 : the stone set in a chaton
3 or chaton foil : a coating (as a foil or lacquer) applied to the back of a cheap gemstone to give it greater brilliancy

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for chaton

French, from Old French chastun, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German kasto container, Middle Dutch kaste barn, Old English bēocere beekeeper, Old High German kar vessel, Old Norse ker, Gothic kas

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about chaton

Statistics for chaton

Look-up Popularity

Comments on chaton

What made you want to look up chaton? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

peer-to-peer

Listen to the pronounciation of peer-to-peer

using a distributed computer network

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?

  • time traveler quiz which word came first
  • Which came first?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games