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Definition of can
could
play \kəd, ˈku̇d\; present singular & pluralcan
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 mayd : be permitted by conscience or feeling to can hardly blame here : be made possible or probable by circumstances to he can hardly have meant thatf : be inherently able or designed to everything that money can buyg : 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 vs. may
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.
Recent Examples of can from the Web
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The test suggested that North Korean missiles can now reach Alaska.
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Brashear said the arrangement was seen as the most viable way to raise the money to grow and sell marijuana products — banks can't make commercial loans because of federal law.
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The body of Veil’s husband, the politician Antoine Veil, will be moved to the mausoleum so the couple can be interred together.
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Though connecting on social media seems like an easy way to unlock an endless supply of information, too much information about someone new too soon can be detrimental to a relationship.
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Guests should bring their own seating and can bring picnic suppers or buy food and beverages at the festival.
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Any visit to Yosemite, even for just a day, can deliver a jolt to the senses or a tonic for the soul.
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The splash fountains, overseen by the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, are on daily from noon to 2 p.m. and kids can cool off by playing in them.
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Flying can be stressful anytime, especially during holidays and the busy summer travel season.
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.
Origin and Etymology of can
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
Definition of can
cans
1 : a usually cylindrical receptacle:a : a vessel for holding liquids; specifically : a drinking vessel … in his hand did bear a boozing can … — Edmund Spenserb : 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 beansd : a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetablese : 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 canb : bathroom 1 He locked himself in the can and wouldn't come out.
4 : buttocks He needs a kick in the can.
5 : destroyer 2 served on a can during the battle
in the can
of a film or videotape : completed and ready for release
Examples of can in a Sentence
He ate the whole can of beans.
the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency
Recent Examples of can from the Web
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Glass containers and aerosol cans, including sunscreen Scooters or personal motorized vehicles.
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One of his most popular images — a pop-art take on a can of beans — can be found on stickers, postcards, kids shirts, baseball t-shirts, and prints.
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Lil Yachty, Vince Staples, DRAM, Vic Mensa, Kamaiyah and Kap G are all teaming with Sprite for the soda's summer ad campaign that will cover its cans and bottles with the up-and-coming rappers' lyrics.
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In the red brick building of the more than century-old Murree Brewery Co. in the Pakistani garrison city of Rawalpindi, staff process about 15,000 cans of beer an hour in the technically dry Islamic republic.
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One man pushed a baby stroller teetering with bottles of water, jugs of milk and cans of baked beans.
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Ulbricht’s target, a Mormon 47-year-old grandfather in Utah, had to fake his death by pouring a can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup on his face to look like blood.
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Past administrations were able to quietly kick the can down the road on this issue.
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Called Biocopac Plus, the product aims to replace BPA, or Bisphenol A, which is used in coatings for cans and bottles that contain foods and drinks.
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.
Origin and Etymology of can
Middle English canne, from Old English; akin to Old High German channa
Definition of can
canned
;canning
transitive verb
1a : to put in a can : preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars can tomatoesb : to hit (a golf shot) into the cupc : 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
canner
nounRecent Examples of can from the Web
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The test suggested that North Korean missiles can now reach Alaska.
-
Brashear said the arrangement was seen as the most viable way to raise the money to grow and sell marijuana products — banks can't make commercial loans because of federal law.
-
The body of Veil’s husband, the politician Antoine Veil, will be moved to the mausoleum so the couple can be interred together.
-
Though connecting on social media seems like an easy way to unlock an endless supply of information, too much information about someone new too soon can be detrimental to a relationship.
-
Guests should bring their own seating and can bring picnic suppers or buy food and beverages at the festival.
-
Any visit to Yosemite, even for just a day, can deliver a jolt to the senses or a tonic for the soul.
-
The splash fountains, overseen by the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, are on daily from noon to 2 p.m. and kids can cool off by playing in them.
-
Flying can be stressful anytime, especially during holidays and the busy summer travel season.
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.
First Known Use of can
1859
can
Definition of can
1 canceled; cancellation
2 cannon
3 canto
Can
Canad
Definition of Can
Canada; Canadian
CAN Defined for English Language Learners
can
playDefinition of can for English Language Learners
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: a closed metal container that is usually shaped like a cylinder and that holds food or drink
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: the food or drink that is in a can
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: a metal or plastic container that has a removable top and that is used for holding liquid, trash, etc.
CAN Defined for Kids
Definition of can for Students
could
\kəd, ˈku̇d\; present singular and pluralcan
1 : know how to We can read.
2 : be able to I can hear you.
3 : be permitted by conscience or feeling to They can hardly blame me.
4 : have permission to You can go now.
5 : to be possible Can he still be alive?
Definition of can for Students
1 : a metal container usually shaped like a cylinder a soda can
2 : the contents of a can Add a can of tomatoes.
Definition of can for Students
canned
;canning
: to prepare for later use by sealing in an airtight can or jar Let's can peaches for winter.
Learn More about can
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for can Spanish Central: Translation of can Nglish: Translation of can for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of can for Arabic speakers
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