canton

IPA/ˈkæntɒn/
KK[kˈæntən]IPA/ˈkæntən/

canton — noun

  • cantonsingular
  • cantonsplural

1. an official region below the national level in some countries, often with its ow

1.nounC2
Definition

an official region below the national level in some countries, often with its own local government; in Switzerland, it means one of the country's main regions

Example

After moving to Switzerland, Hoa registered her business in the canton of Bern.

the canton of + place name

Each canton sets its own school calendar, so spring break dates can differ.

a canton sets local rules

Common collocations
  • Swiss canton
  • canton government
  • the canton of Bern
  • mountain canton
Synonyms
  • province

    a broader term for a large administrative area in many countries

  • state

    often suggests a region with stronger political powers inside a federation

  • district

    usually refers to a smaller or more local administrative unit

Grammar Patterns

the canton of Bern

a Swiss canton

move from one canton to another

Usage Note

Most often seen in references to Switzerland, as in the canton of Zurich. In other countries, it can name a smaller official area, so do not assume it always means the same level as a state or province.

Common Mistakes

The store is in the electronics canton of town.
The store is in the electronics district of town.
Canton is used for an official administrative area, not for an ordinary shopping section.

2. the part at the upper corner nearest the pole on a flag, often a square area set

2.nounC2
Definition

the part at the upper corner nearest the pole on a flag, often a square area set apart from the rest

Example

The designer placed three white stars inside the blue canton.

stars inside the canton

On the old flag, a red cross filled the canton.

fill the canton with a symbol

Common collocations
  • blue canton
  • stars in the canton
  • canton of the flag
  • fill the canton
Synonyms
  • corner

    describes the position but is not the technical word used in flag study

  • quarter

    an older, more general word for one section of a flag

Grammar Patterns

the blue canton of the flag

stars in the canton

shade the canton red

Usage Note

Mainly used in flag study, history, and museum writing. In everyday speech, many people would simply say the top left part of the flag.

Common Mistakes

The badge is in the canton of the poster.
The badge is in the top left corner of the poster.
Canton is a technical flag term, not a general word for any corner on a page or poster.

Word family

  • cantonal
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Canton, region, province, state, and district all name parts of a country, but they are not interchangeable. Canton is used in specific political systems, especially Switzerland, where each canton has its own government and legal powers. Province is a wider label for a large administrative area in many countries. State can suggest even stronger authority inside a federation. District usually points to a smaller unit used for administration, voting, or local services. Region is the broadest term and can be official or just geographical. You might read about the canton of Zurich in Swiss politics, but a report on another country may be more likely to mention a province, state, or district instead.

region ↗province ↗state ↗district ↗

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

English borrowed canton from French. An earlier sense referred to a corner or section, and that idea still appears in the flag meaning, while the territorial sense developed for an official division of land.

First known use

1522

1522, in the meaning defined above Noun (2)