can

verb (1)

\ kən, ˈkan

also ˈken; dialectal ˈkin\

past could\ kəd, ˈku̇d

\; present singular & plural can

Definition of can

(Entry 1 of 5)

transitive verb

1 obsolete : know, understand

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

intransitive verb

archaic : to have knowledge or skill

auxiliary verb

1a : know how to She can read.

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

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

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

e : be made possible or probable by circumstances to he can hardly have meant that

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

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

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

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

can

noun

\ ˈkan

plural cans

Definition of can (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : a usually cylindrical receptacle:

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

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

d : a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables

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 : jail The cops threw him in the can.

3a : toilet sitting on the can

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

4 : buttocks He needs a kick in the can.

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

6 : 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 Learn More about can

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Synonyms for can

Synonyms: Noun

barrel, canister (also cannister), drum, tin

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

An American’s entire lifetime of electricity use powered by nuclear energy would produce an amount of long-term waste that fits in a soda can. — Joshua S. Goldstein And, WSJ, "Only Nuclear Energy Can Save the Planet," 11 Jan. 2019 Independence Brewing’s new beer, Native Texan pilsner, comes in a can that seems styled after the sticker with the same words that adorns many a pickup truck in this state. — Markus Haas, San Antonio Express-News, "Your guide to 8 great summer beers," 12 July 2018 Beals said the video shows Barrett throwing a plastic water bottle in a trash can. — Julie Gallant, sandiegouniontribune.com, "RUSD students vie for iVIE awards," 8 June 2018 Open the can of coconut milk, and pour over onions. — Leah Eskin, charlotteobserver, "Secret to faster Jamaican fish stew: Canned coconut milk | Charlotte Observer," 17 Apr. 2018 And gone the handsome cricketers, inviting you to open a refreshing can of Pepsi. — The Economist, "Why billboards are under attack in Pakistan’s business capital," 22 Mar. 2018 Employees reportedly receive very little break time and are often forced to urinate in trash cans because of a lack of bathroom breaks. — Makena Kelly, The Verge, "Amazon’s triumphant pay raise is also a political play," 3 Oct. 2018 The fire was caused by fireworks that were improperly disposed in a trash can, officials said. — Lavendrick Smith, charlotteobserver, "Fireworks cause house to catch fire in east Charlotte," 5 July 2018 This is actually the water or juice-like substance found in cans of chickpeas. — Rachel King, Fortune, "Sustainable Cocktails Could Be the Next Big Trend in Bartending," 2 July 2018

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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