canton

Everyday

1. One of the states into which Switzerland is divided (26 cantons), each with its own government. tree →
2. A small district of some other countries, such as France or Luxembourg. tree →
3. Canton: the old English name for Guangzhou, a big city in southern China; Cantonese food and language come from there. tree →
4. The top corner of a flag next to the pole (in heraldry and flag design). tree →

In the lessons

In geography lessons it is used for Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva and Bern are cantons. In lessons on China, «Cantonese» is the language spoken in Guangzhou and Hong Kong. In flag lessons, the US flag has its stars in the canton.

Examples

• Switzerland is made up of 26 cantons. tree →
• Geneva is a canton and also a city. tree →
• Each canton has its own laws about schools. tree →
• Canton is the old name for Guangzhou. tree →
• Cantonese is spoken in Hong Kong. tree →
• The Union Jack is in the canton of the Australian flag. tree →
• These cantons are separated by the Rhone, over which is a bridge that unites them. tree →

Note

Countable: a canton, cantons. Capital C for the old Chinese city name, Canton. Said «KAN-ton». Not to be confused with «cantor» (a singer in a synagogue or church).