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

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 Unlike plastic bags that are used in trash cans and ultimately contained in landfills, single use carry-out bags often end up blowing around streets, clogging storm drains and making their way into waterways. — Frank Kummer, Philly.com, "N.J. poised to impose 5-cent fee on plastic bags, so why aren't environmentalists happy?," 22 June 2018 The burger recipe has never changed, the menu has stayed stubbornly at a dozen items, soft drinks are still served in cans and many of its employees have worked there 20 to 25 years. — Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Nessy Burgers on the move again, but not far," 10 June 2018 The center had no hot water, so Segerblom and others heated pans of water on a stove on the second floor, carried them up to the third floor with mittens and then climbed a wooden ladder to the rooftop to mix with the cold water in the trash cans. — Hailey Branson-potts, latimes.com, "On the 40th anniversary of the LGBTQ pride symbol, artist wants her rainbow flag story told," 8 June 2018 The sow and its three cubs had a history of digging in trash cans, Marsh said. — Tegan Hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "Two trash-seeking brown bear cubs killed by Fish and Game in the Eagle River area," 31 May 2018 Pick up a can of Women's Rogaine, says April Franzino, Good Housekeeping's beauty director. — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "13 Ways to Make Your Hair Grow Faster," 16 Aug. 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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