cane

1 of 2

noun

ˈkān 

1

a(1)

: a hollow or pithy, usually slender, and often flexible jointed stem (as of a reed or bamboo)

a fishing pole made of cane

(2)

: any of various slender woody stems

especially : an elongated flowering or fruiting stem (as of a rose) usually arising directly from the ground

b

: any of various tall woody grasses or reeds: such as

(1)

: any of a genus (Arundinaria) of bamboo

(2)

: sugarcane

(3)

: sorghum

c

: rattan sense 2b

especially : split rattan for wickerwork or basketwork

2

: a stick typically of wood or metal with a usually curved handle at one end that is grasped to provide stability in walking or standing

3

: a rod or stick used for flogging

4

: a tiny glass rod used in decorative glasswork (as in millefiori and paperweights)

cane

2 of 2

verb

caned; caning

transitive verb

1

: to beat with a cane

he sat in a professor's chair and caned sophomores for blowing spitballs

—H. L. Mencken

2

: to weave or furnish with cane

cane the seat of a chair

Synonyms

Noun

• bastinado
• bastinade
• bat
• baton
• billy
• billy club
• bludgeon
• club
• cudgel
• nightstick
• rod
• rung [Scottish]
• sap
• shillelagh
• shillalah
• staff
• truncheon
• waddy [Australian]

Examples of cane in a Sentence

Noun

In the past, some teachers would resort to the cane when students misbehaved.

The chair seat is made of cane.

Verb

In the past, some teachers would cane students who misbehaved.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Billie Eilish recently spoke with Billboard about her decision to use 100% recycled vinyl, plus recycled scraps for colored variants and shrink-wrap packaging made from sugar cane, materials that Audiodrome is also using. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2024

While walking with her cane, which supports her mobility, the actress made sure to give the camera a 360-degree view of the voluminous design. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Middle French, from Old Occitan cana, from Latin canna, from Greek kanna, of Semitic origin; akin to Akkadian qanū reed, Hebrew qāneh

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

circa 1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cane

• candy cane
• cane corso
• cane sugar
• cane toad
• dumb cane
• malacca cane
• sword cane
• the cane

Kids Definition

cane

1 of 2 noun

ˈkān 

1

a

: a jointed plant stem that is usually slender and more or less flexible

b

: any of various tall woody grasses or reeds

especially : sugarcane

2

a

: walking stick sense 1

b

: a rod for flogging

c

: rattan sense 2

cane

2 of 2 verb

caned; caning

1

: to beat with a cane

2

: to make with cane

cane the seat of a chair