Definition of can
(Entry 1 of 5)
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.
archaic
: to have knowledge or skill
can
noun
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
3
informal
a
: toilet
sitting on the can
b
: bathroom sense 1
He locked himself in the can and wouldn't come out.
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)
canned; canning
Definition of can (Entry 3 of 5)
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for can
The first known use of can was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century