cane

noun \ ˈkān \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of cane

1 a (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 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

Cosby, who walked in the courthouse leaning on his cane, walked out waving it, with nothing left to lose.

— lorraine ali, latimes.com, "Bill Cosby's third act: A guilty verdict for sexual assault," 27 Apr. 2018
Whenever the wind blew back those covers, Villagomez got up from his stool and used his cane to shove them back into place.

— caille millner, San Francisco Chronicle, "Are the Navigation Centers helping city’s homeless?," 13 Apr. 2018
But Bernarda rules her house with her sharp tongue and her cane.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Thought-provoking play by West Allis Village Playhouse opens April 6," 2 Apr. 2018
Now, somebody fetch my coat and hat and hand me my walkin’ cane.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: Xavier Musketeers' Chris Mack has it good here. Better than Louisville.," 22 Mar. 2018
Cindy’s Foot in Mouth cocktail ($16) is inspired by the travels of the bar’s spirit guide on staff, and is concocted with rhum agricole, sugar cane syrup and lime.

— shelbie lynn bostedt, RedEye Chicago, "Drink your way around the globe without leaving Chicago," 21 Sep. 2017
In the living room, the smallest of the spaces, two cane benches face off across a glass table that displays a 1920s Baccarat decanter filled with tequila and six matching glasses.

— sarah medford, WSJ, "Inside the Brooklyn Apartment of the Interior Designer Whose Clients Include Cartier, Nike and Glossier," 28 Apr. 2018
Barkan walked slowly, with assistance from a cane, and tried to spend as much time in a wheelchair to help conserve his energy.

— ella nilsen, Vox, "Barkan got national attention for protesting the GOP tax bill last year.," 24 Apr. 2018
Boats like California Dawn, Happy Hooker, New El Dorado III, New Easy Rider and Ms. Marin fished Central bay and South Bay to hook halibut into the high 20s and more bass than a person can shake a cane rod at.

— sacbee, "Fishing line: Striper action takes off near Colusa and on Feather River | The Sacramento Bee," 23 Apr. 2018

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 Middle 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

cane Synonyms

Synonyms

bat, baton, billy, billy club, bludgeon, club, cudgel, nightstick, rod, shillelagh (also shillalah), staff, truncheon;

Related Words

blackjack, knobkerrie, mace;

birch, crabstick, hickory, rattan, stave, switch;

beetle, gavel, hammer, mallet, maul, sledgehammer;

crook, crosier (or crozier), walking stick;

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

CANE Defined for English Language Learners

cane

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

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

Learn More about cane

See words that rhyme with cane Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cane Spanish Central: Translation of cane Nglish: Translation of cane for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cane for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cane

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cane

Definition of cane

Examples of cane in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cane from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cane

cane Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

cane

Definition of cane

Examples of cane in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cane from the Web

First Known Use of cane

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CANE Defined for English Language Learners

cane

Definition of cane for English Language Learners

cane

Definition of cane for English Language Learners

CANE Defined for Kids

cane

Definition of cane for Students

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