# canton

/ˈkæntən/ (US) · /kˈæntɒn/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. political division

noun · CEFR B2

a small administrative area or state within a country, especially in Switzerland.

For teachers: a subnational administrative division of a country, most notably one of the twenty-six states of the Swiss Confederation.

- Switzerland is divided into twenty-six cantons, each with its own local government.
- The federal government of Switzerland shares power with the individual cantons, which maintain significant autonomy over education and policing.

### 2. part of a flag

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the top-left corner of a flag, where a special design is often placed.

For teachers: the upper-left quadrant of a flag, typically used to display a secondary emblem or national symbol.

- The fifty stars on the American flag are located in the blue canton.
- In vexillology, the canton is considered the most prestigious position on the flag's field for displaying an emblem of higher authority.

### 3. to house soldiers

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal

to provide housing for soldiers in a specific area.

For teachers: to assign soldiers to quarters, especially when requisitioning civilian housing.

- The general decided to canton the troops in the nearby village for the winter.
- During the Napoleonic Wars, the army was frequently cantoned across several small towns to ease the burden on local food supplies.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice or in the context of historical military logistics.

### 4. heraldry division

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small square in the top corner of a shield in a coat of arms.

For teachers: a square division of a shield, occupying approximately one-third of the chief, usually on the dexter side.

- The knight's shield featured a red lion in the golden canton.
- The heraldic achievement was modified by adding a canton of augmentation to signify the family's service to the crown.

## Examples

- Zurich is one of the cantons in Switzerland.
- Each canton in Switzerland has its own police force and tax laws.
- The political autonomy granted to each canton allows for significant regional variation in education policy and social welfare programs across the country.

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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.