cane

play

noun \ˈkān\

Definition of cane

1a (1) : a hollow or pithy, usually slender, and often flexible jointed stem (as of a reed or bamboo) a fishing pole made of cane (2) : any of various slender woody stems; especially : an elongated flowering or fruiting stem (as of a rose) usually arising directly from the groundb : any of various tall woody grasses or reeds: such as (1) : any of a genus (Arundinaria) of bamboo (2) : sugarcane (3) : sorghumc : rattan 2b; especially : split rattan for wickerwork or basketwork
2 : a stick typically of wood or metal with a usually curved handle at one end that is grasped to provide stability in walking or standing
3 : a rod or stick used for flogging
4 : a tiny glass rod used in decorative glasswork (as in millefiori and paperweights)

See cane defined for English-language learners

See cane defined for kids

Examples of cane in a Sentence

In the past, some teachers would resort to the cane when students misbehaved.
The chair seat is made of cane.

Recent Examples of cane from the Web

Some say it was created for Sir Frances Drake while the more likely story is that slaves in the Cuban sugar cane fields crafted the drink from a homemade rum called aguadiente (literal translation: firewater), mint and limes.

— kevin hopper, idahostatesman, "When the backyard gives you mint, make mojitos," 18 July 2017
LaVar walked alongside his wife, who was supported with a quad cane and proudly wore the family’s BBB shirt in blue and gold, the colors of her NBA son’s alma mater, UCLA.

— karen mizoguchi, SI.com, "Lonzo Ball's mother, Tina, makes first public appearance since suffering stroke," 15 July 2017
Center-south mills crushed 39.4 million metric tons of cane in the period, a rise of 51.7% from the same period a year earlier.

— jeffrey t. lewis, WSJ, "Some Brazil Sugar Mills Ramp Up," 28 June 2017
The ingredients are nice and simple: just whole milk, yogurt cultures, cane sugar, and fruit.

— Health.com, "Is French Yogurt the New Greek?," 28 June 2017
This French method involves pouring the ingredients — whole milk, pure cane sugar, fruit, and yogurt cultures — into individual glass pots and allowing the contents to set and culture for eight hours.

— lynsey eidell, Teen Vogue, "Yoplait Launches French-Style Yogurt Called 'Oui'," 26 June 2017
Folks with walkers and canes enjoy sitting on the benches just watching and listening to the waves crash against the breakwater.

— nancy coltun webster, chicagotribune.com, "Portage: A day at the beach with an ice-cream break," 22 June 2017
Barbara Ellsworth, who is 87, goes by Mrs. E, and walks with a cane that looks like a baseball bat, has hosted 162 players.

— matt viser, Town & Country, "Why the Best Amateur Baseball Players in the Country Love the Cape Cod Baseball League," 22 June 2017
There was Charlie Chaplin, twirling his little cane.

— sherry lansing, VanityFair.com, "How Sherry Lansing’s Father Inspired Her to Make Movies Her Life," 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cane.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cane

Middle English, from Medieval French, from Old Occitan cana, from Latin canna, from Greek kanna, of Semitic origin; akin to Akkadian qanū reed, Hebrew qāneh

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

cane

verb

Definition of cane

caned

;

caning

transitive verb
1 : to beat with a cane he sat in a professor's chair and caned sophomores for blowing spitballs — H. L. Mencken
2 : to weave or furnish with cane cane the seat of a chair

See cane defined for English-language learners

Examples of cane in a Sentence

In the past, some teachers would cane students who misbehaved.

Recent Examples of cane from the Web

Cane’s marinates never-frozen chicken tenderloins for 24 hours before dropping it in the fryer.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Where to eat, drink in Baton Rouge," 30 June 2017

First Known Use of cane

1662

CANE Defined for English Language Learners

cane

play

noun

Definition of cane for English Language Learners

: a short stick that often has a curved handle and is used to help someone to walk
the cane : a form of punishment in which a person is hit with a cane or stick
: the hard hollow stem of a plant (such as bamboo or reed) that is used to make furniture and baskets

cane

verb

Definition of cane for English Language Learners

: to hit (someone) with a cane or stick as a form of punishment

CANE Defined for Kids

cane

play

noun \ˈkān\

Definition of cane for Students

1 : an often hollow, slender, and somewhat flexible plant stem
2 : a tall woody grass or reed (as sugarcane)
3 : a rod made especially of wood or metal that often has a curved handle and is used to help someone walk
4 : a rod for beating