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 possibilityDo 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 mayYou 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 pluralYou 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 Learn More about can

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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 Those who purchase the Corn Dog Queen will get a can of Presto Sparkling Cuvée included in the $24 price. — Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, "That’s so Dallas: Restaurant sells corn dog dipped in 24-karat edible gold," 19 Sep. 2020 To apply, shake the can and the spray about four to six inches away from your hair. — Samantha Driscoll, Better Homes & Gardens, "How to Master An At-Home Blowout, According to Experts," 15 Sep. 2020 Be aware that incorrectly screwing on the cap could affect the ability to pump and build up pressure in the can. — Popsci Commerce Team, Popular Science, "Best oil sprayers and misters for home chefs," 11 Sep. 2020 In honor of National Navajo Code Talkers Day, a Washington, D.C., craft brewery recently rereleased its Code Talker American Pale Ale — this time in a can — drawing some rave reviews but also backlash. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Emotions run high over new Navajo Code Talkers beer can," 2 Sep. 2020 Someone placed a trash can and two loaves of bread on the kitchen stove and turned the burners on, the warrant said. — Christine Dempsey, courant.com, "Drug-deal debt behind New Britain arson fire, police say," 26 Aug. 2020 The incident allegedly occurred on the night of June 9 when the neighbor asked Abdul-Jabbar about taking out a trash can for his elderly roommate. — Harriet Sokmensuer, PEOPLE.com, "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Son Charged in Alleged Stabbing of Neighbor, 60, in Fight Over Trash Can," 26 Aug. 2020 Her husband and daughter had vaguely heard the commotion but assumed their puppy had knocked over a trash can or something. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "‘Pure evil in his eyes’: Rape victim speaks out after suspect’s 2nd attack in Jefferson County," 21 Aug. 2020 The city said that a current survey of residential rates across the county starting Jan. 1, 2021, shows that Santee’s rates will be $26.79 per month for customers using a 96-gallon trash can. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Santee to keep Waste Management as trash services provider for 10 years," 20 Aug. 2020

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.