canter

UK: /ˈkæntə^r/ US: /ˈkæntɚ/ ,(kan′tər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

can•ter¹ /ˈkæntɚ/   n. 

[countable]
1. an easy gallop:
   The horses set off at a canter.

v. 

2. to (cause to) ride at a canter: [no object]
   The horses cantered around the palace.
   [~ + object]
   The ceremonial guards cantered their horses.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

can•ter¹  (kan′tər), n. 

1. an easy gallop.

v.t., v.i. 

2. to move or ride at a canter.

• short for Canterbury to ride at a pace like that of Canterbury pilgrims 1745–55

cant•er²  (kan′tər), n. 

1. a person who is much given to the use of cant.

• cant¹ + -er¹ 1870–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

canter / ˈkæntə/ noun

1. an easy three-beat gait of horses, etc, between a trot and a gallop in speed
2. at a canter ⇒ easily; without effort

verb

1. to move or cause to move at a canter

Etymology: 18th Century: short for Canterbury trot, the supposed pace at which pilgrims rode to Canterbury