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 informal : jail The cops threw him 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 : buttocks He needs a kick 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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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

Some areas where homes are close to parks or forests, such as Aberdeen in Hong Kong Island’s south, have become popular spots for growing numbers of boars to forage for food amid the garbage cans. — Alice Fung, The Seattle Times, "In year of the pig, Hong Kong has had enough of wild ones," 6 Feb. 2019 Mids are consistently clean, treble is smooth—albeit pushed a bit further back than flatter, more audiophile-centric cans—and imaging is strong, which prevents tracks from sounding cluttered and makes the headphones good for casual gaming. — Jeff Dunn, Ars Technica, "The Ars Holiday Gift Guide 2018—good tech for the home and home office," 19 Nov. 2018 Beer makers, for example, said their cans would cost more to make. — Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY, "How President Trump's Chinese tariffs affect American consumers," 6 July 2018 Empty LaCroix cans and pizza boxes aren't the only things in your life that should be recycled — lipstick tubes, eye shadow pots, and foundation bottles can be, too. — Devon Abelman, Allure, "M.A.C. Is Giving Away Free Lipstick in Exchange for Beauty Empties," 23 Apr. 2019 CouchCoaster comes with a slip-in adaptor to create a tighter, no-slip fit for bottles and cans. — Shanon Maglente, Good Housekeeping, "This Genius Cup Holder Will Totally Transform Your Netflix Marathons," 21 Mar. 2019 Some Twitter users who were upset about the ad showed photos or videos of themselves throwing their Gillette razors in trash cans or tearing them apart, using hashtags like #BoycottGillette and #GilletteFail. — Aisha Al-muslim, WSJ, "Gillette’s Ad With a #MeToo Edge Gets Mixed Reactions," 17 Jan. 2019 When finished, allow used fireworks to stand for at least 20 minutes, submerge in water, drain, place in a plastic bag & dispose of outside in a covered trash can. — Sarah Brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Fourth of July: Best tips to stay safe when using fireworks," 4 July 2018 Buy any good-quality ground coffee that comes in a can and scoop it into the grounds basket. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "Surprising Essentials: A Coffeemaker That's Tough Enough for the Garage," 14 Dec. 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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