Can

abbreviation

variants or Canad

Canada; Canadian

Kids Definition

can

1 of 3 helping verb

kən 

(ˈ)kan

past could kəd 

(ˈ)ku̇d

; present singular & plural can

1

a

: know how to

we can read

b

: be able to

I can hear you

c

: be permitted by conscience or feeling to

they can hardly blame you

d

: have the power or right to

2

: have permission to : may

you can go now

can

2 of 3 noun

ˈkan 

1

: a metal container usually shaped like a cylinder

a soda can

2

: the contents of a can

ate the whole can of beans

can

3 of 3 verb

ˈkan 

canned; canning

1

: to prepare for future use by sealing in an airtight can or jar

can tomatoes

2

: to dismiss from a job : fire

3

slang : to put a stop or end to

told to can the chatter

canner noun

Etymology

Old English can "to know, know how to"

Old English canne "container"