can

verb (1)

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\ kən, ˈkan

also ˈken; dialectal ˈkin \

past could\ kəd , ˈku̇d

\; present singular & plural can

Definition of can

(Entry 1 of 5)

auxiliary verb

1a : be physically or mentally able to He can lift 200 pounds.

b : know how to She can read.

c —used to indicate possibility Do you think he can still be alive?Those things can happen. —sometimes used interchangeably with may

d : be inherently able or designed to everything that money can buy

e : be enabled by law, agreement, or custom to Congress can declare war.

f : be permitted by conscience or feeling to can hardly blame her

g : be made possible or probable by circumstances to He can hardly have meant that.

h : be logically or axiologically able to 2 + 2 can also be written 3 + 1.

2 : have permission to —used interchangeably with may You can go now if you like.

transitive verb

1 archaic : to be able to do, make, or accomplish

2 obsolete : know, understand

intransitive verb

archaic : to have knowledge or skill

can

noun

\ ˈkan

plural cans

Definition of can (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : a usually cylindrical receptacle:

a : a container (as of tinplate) in which products (such as perishable foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use a can of beans

b : a usually metal typically cylindrical receptacle usually with an open top, often with a removable cover, and sometimes with a spout or side handles (as for holding liquid or trash)

c : a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables

d : a vessel for holding liquids specifically : a drinking vessel … in his hand did bear a boozing can … — Edmund Spenser

e : a recessed lighting fixture Augment natural light with recessed cans in the ceiling, sconces on side walls, or a table lamp on a shelf …— Jill Connors

2 informal : buttocks He needs a kick in the can.

3 informal

a : toilet sitting on the can

b : bathroom sense 1 He locked himself in the can and wouldn't come out.

4 informal : jail The cops threw him in the can.

5 slang : destroyer sense 2 served on a can during the battle

6 informal : headphone —usually plural You don't realize just how noisy it is inside a plane until you put on a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones … . I generally leave the noise-cancelling cans on even when I'm not listening to anything at all—the relative quiet makes a long trip less stressful.— Steven Morgenstern

in the can

of a film or videotape : completed and ready for release

can

verb (2)

\ ˈkan

canned; canning

Definition of can (Entry 3 of 5)

transitive verb

1a : to put in a can : preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars can tomatoes

b : to hit (a golf shot) into the cup

c : to hit (a shot) in basketball

2 : to discharge from employment got canned for being late so often

3 slang : to put a stop or end to were told to can the chatter

can

abbreviation (1)

Definition of can (Entry 4 of 5)

1 canceled; cancellation

2 cannon

3 canto

Can

abbreviation (2)

variants: or Canad

Definition of Can (Entry 5 of 5)

Canada; Canadian

Other Words from can Synonyms Can vs. May: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Phrases Containing can Learn More About can

Can vs. May: Usage Guide

Verb (1)

Can and may are most frequently interchangeable in uses denoting possibility; because the possibility of one's doing something may depend on another's acquiescence, they have also become interchangeable in the sense denoting permission. The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some commentators feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts. May is relatively rare in negative constructions (mayn't is not common); cannot and can't are usual in such contexts.

Examples of can in a Sentence

Noun He ate the whole can of beans. the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun In which case, most of the stuff was already in the can. — Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 June 2022 There’s a new Indy movie, already shot but as yet untitled, in the can for release in June 2023. — Ty Burr, Washington Post, 27 May 2022 The first two episodes will debut Aug. 31 on Disney+, with a total of 12 episodes already in the can. — Carson Burton, Variety, 26 May 2022 The theatrical medium’s first response to that transformative day was a round of digital erasures that banished any images of the World Trade Center from features already in the can and ready for release. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2021 Because of Covid, the movie was in the can for all of 2020, while George Floyd was killed and the Black Lives Matter protests were all over the news. — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2021 Crush the tomatoes by hand and add to the strainer; do not add the juice in the can. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 30 Aug. 2021 That tends to get decided and announced after at least the first few weeks of a show are in the can. — Andy Meek, BGR, 30 July 2021 With inspiration from friends, Albayati kept the tab from her can and strung it onto a silver necklace. — Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'can.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for can

Verb (1)

Middle English (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English; akin to Old High German kan (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) know, am able, Old English cnāwan to know — more at know

Noun

Middle English canne, from Old English; akin to Old High German channa

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