cane

noun

\ ˈkān

Definition of cane

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 ground

b : any of various tall woody grasses or reeds: such as

(1) : any of a genus (Arundinaria) of bamboo

(2) : sugarcane

(3) : sorghum

c : rattan sense 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)

cane

verb

caned; caning

Definition of cane (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cane

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Examples of cane in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The trove of comedic artifacts also includes Charlie Chaplin’s cane, Lucy’s polka-dot dress, and Archie Bunker’s jacket. — Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Condé Nast Traveler, "The National Comedy Center Is an Unlikely Attraction That's Putting Western New York Back on the Map," 13 Sep. 2018 It was attached to a very swollen and painful foot, ankle and leg belonging to the maker of hundreds of free artistic canes for veterans. — Lauren Ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Maker of artisan canes now must use his own creation after amputation," 11 May 2018 Soft Caress is not a high maintenance plant, pruning out any old ugly or damaged canes as needed or to encourage new young shoots and bushiness. — Norman Winter, idahostatesman, "Soft Caress mahonia magically blooms, bringing in the honeybees | Idaho Statesman," 31 Jan. 2018 America during the holidays is an embarrassment of riches, from sugar cookies to gingerbread to candy canes and every delicious morsel in between. — Jenny Hollander, Marie Claire, "I Started Snacking Differently at Work and Got WAY More Productive," 20 Mar. 2019 Dorothy Mae Neal, who was 83 and a familiar figure in her neighborhood, often seen walking with her cane to the bus stop, was raped and beaten to death allegedly at the hands of a 14-year-old neighbor, Baltimore police said, according to USA Today. — Elizabeth Llorente, Fox News, "14-year-old charged in rape, murder of 83-year-old neighbor," 9 Sep. 2018 When Barbour arrived, Garcia leaned on her cane, and thanked her for the agency’s help. — Vincent T. Davis, San Antonio Express-News, "Isolated seniors receive help from Meals on Wheels San Antonio," 6 July 2018 Beginning with the volcano, the society's railroad layout follows candy production from the growing of the sugar cane in Hawaii to the Midwestern dairy farms where the milk comes from. — Barbara Henry, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fair's train garden a lengthy labor of love," 6 June 2018 The insect, a type of scale from China and Japan, is attracted to the weakened roseau cane, much in the same way garden aphids swarm over a dying tomato plant, Hooper-Bui said. — Tristan Baurick, NOLA.com, "Wetland plague may be getting help from high water levels, researcher says," 31 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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

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.