Canterbury
|Can-ter-bury|
🇺🇸
/ˈkæntərbɛri/
🇬🇧
/ˈkæntəbəri/
historic Kent city with cathedral
Etymology
'Canterbury' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'Cantwareburh', where 'Cantware' meant 'people of Kent' and 'burh' meant 'fortified town' or 'stronghold'.
'Canterbury' changed from the Old English word 'Cantwareburh' (also attested as 'Cantwaraburg') through Middle English forms such as 'Canteberie' and eventually became the modern English word 'Canterbury'.
Initially, it meant 'fort of the people of Kent', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a city in Kent, England, noted for its cathedral and archbishopric'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a historic cathedral city in the county of Kent, England, known for Canterbury Cathedral and as a traditional pilgrimage destination.
Canterbury is famous for its cathedral and medieval streets.
Noun 2
the see, office, or jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury (the senior bishop of the Church of England).
The matter was brought to Canterbury for a formal ruling.
Noun 3
used in titles or cultural references, notably in the literary title 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer.
'The Canterbury Tales' is a famous collection of stories by Geoffrey Chaucer.
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/09/29 06:35