plural cantos
: one of the major divisions of a long poem

Examples of canto in a Sentence

the first canto of Dante's “Inferno”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are striking similarities between Frost’s collection and Tennyson’s poem; many of Frost’s poems refer directly to a corresponding canto in Tennyson’s work. Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025 Unless fans are treated to another bonus canto this time around, last year’s steroidal figure may be just out of reach, even with the extra eyeballs that are tallied in places like Macon and Rhinelander and Joplin and Yuma. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Latin cantus song, from canere to sing — more at chant

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of canto was in 1590

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Canto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canto. Accessed 11 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

plural cantos
: a major division of a long poem

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