Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small administrative division of a country: A "canton" is a territorial subdivision, particularly one of the states within a federation like Switzerland.
   • A city in China: "Canton" is an older English name for the city of Guangzhou, a major port and the capital of Guangdong province in southern China.

2. Verb:

   • To divide into cantons: To partition a country or territory into smaller administrative districts.
   • To provide quarters for military personnel: To assign soldiers to lodgings, especially in private residences.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The Swiss Confederation is composed of 26 cantons.
  • Historically, many European traders did business in Canton.

• Verb:

  • The newly annexed territory was cantoned for easier governance.
  • During the war, soldiers were cantoned in villages across the region.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in cantonment": Refers to troops being stationed or lodged in a particular area, often a temporary military settlement.
  • The army spent the winter in cantonment.

Variants and Related Words

• Cantonal (adj): Relating to a canton.

  • Cantonal governments have significant autonomy in Switzerland.

• Cantonment (n): A military garrison or camp; the act of quartering troops.

  • The old cantonment is now a residential neighborhood.

Synonyms

• District: A territorial division for administrative purposes.
• Province: A principal administrative division of a country.
• Quarter (verb): To provide lodging, especially for soldiers.

Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms directly featuring the word "canton".)

Noun

1. a small administrative division of a country
2. a city on the Zhu Jiang delta in southern China; the capital of Guangdong province and a major deep-water port

Verb

1. divide into cantons, of a country
2. provide housing for (military personnel)