canton

One of the states that together make up Switzerland.

• Zurich is a Swiss canton.
• Tax rates differ between cantons.
• She lives in the canton of Geneva.

Common phrases: Swiss canton, canton of Zurich

An area within a country that has its own local government or administration.

• The map shows the boundaries of each canton.
• Every canton has a local administrative office.
• The reform created three new cantons.

Similar words: district

Common phrases: rural canton, canton boundary

A smaller administrative area within a French department.

• This French canton contains several villages.
• Voters in the canton chose their council representatives.
• The department is divided into a number of cantons.

Similar words: district

Common phrases: French canton, rural canton

An administrative area in countries such as Luxembourg or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• The canton of Sarajevo has its own government.
• This Luxembourg canton contains several municipalities.
• They moved to another canton in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Similar words: district

Common phrases: canton of Sarajevo, Luxembourg canton

To mark out an area as a separate district.

• Officials cantoned the valley as a separate district.
• The decree cantons this area under a new name.
• They proposed to canton the northern territory.

Similar words: demarcate, mark out

Common phrases: canton an area, canton a district

To divide a country or region into separate administrative areas.

• The government cantoned the province into smaller areas.
• The proposal would canton the country along existing boundaries.
• Officials debated how to canton the region.

How to use it: canton something into something (The rulers cantoned the territory into ten districts.)

Similar words: divide, partition

Common phrases: canton a region, canton a country

To place soldiers in homes taken for military use from local people.

• The commander cantoned his troops in nearby villages.
• Officers were cantoned in houses along the main road.
• The army planned to canton another regiment there.

How to use it: canton someone in something (They cantoned the soldiers in local homes.)

Similar words: billet, quarter

Common phrases: canton troops, canton an army

For soldiers, to stay in local homes assigned to them by the army.

• The troops cantoned in the village for winter.
• His regiment cantons in homes near the border.
• The soldiers expected to canton there until spring.

How to use it: canton in something (The regiment cantoned in houses around the town.)

Similar words: quarter, billet

Common phrases: canton in something, troops canton