# Canterbury

/ˈkæntɝˌbɛɹi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/canterbury
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. city in England

noun · CEFR B2

a historic city in Kent, England, famous for its cathedral and as the home of the leader of the Church of England.

For teachers: a cathedral city in Kent, England, serving as the ecclesiastical centre of the Church of England and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

- Many tourists visit Canterbury to see the beautiful cathedral and walk through the old streets.
- The pilgrimage to Canterbury, immortalised by Chaucer, remains a significant cultural and religious journey for many visitors to the United Kingdom.

### 2. furniture

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small wooden stand with slots to hold magazines, newspapers, or music sheets.

For teachers: a low, portable stand or rack with vertical partitions, originally designed to hold sheet music but later adapted for magazines and newspapers.

- She kept her favorite magazines in a small wooden canterbury next to the armchair.
- The antique dealer identified the piece as a mahogany canterbury, noting the fine craftsmanship of the dividers and the original brass casters.

## Examples

- We are planning a day trip to Canterbury this weekend.
- Thousands of tourists visit Canterbury every year to see the medieval architecture and the famous cathedral.
- The city of Canterbury remains a significant site of pilgrimage and historical study, largely due to its association with Thomas Becket and Geoffrey Chaucer’s literary legacy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.