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 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 At the office, waste paper belongs in the trash can, not the drawers of your desk. — Tony M Fountain, Forbes, 18 June 2021 Also brown rice, a can of sardines, whole wheat pasta, sundried tomatoes, soba noodles, nori, dashi powder for the soba noodles, soy sauce, salt. — Jenn Harris Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2021 In July, the science advisers suggested men who drink alcohol should limit themselves to one serving per day — a 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or a shot of liquor. — Carla Johnson, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Dec. 2020 The news of the Astros’ banging a trash can to signal to their hitters what pitch is coming broke before the pandemic, but the players and their fans had to deal with the blowback throughout 2020. — Matt Young, Chron, 29 Dec. 2020 The sound of popping open a fresh, cold can of beer may become more and more rare for some Michigan breweries. — Chanel Stitt, Detroit Free Press, 11 Sep. 2020 There is a strong magnet that holds your can up and in place, keeping it from falling even after it’s opened up the top. — Popular Science, 3 Aug. 2020 Since then, Lamont has made a complete turnaround as a can-do, CEO governor who has almost single-handedly ruled the state with executive orders for the past 16 months during the coronavirus pandemic. — Christopher Keating, courant.com, 11 July 2021 Most simply do not have the infrastructure to support tourism, not even the basics like a trash can or a parking lot. — Pauly Denetclaw, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2021

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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