cane

1 of 2

noun

ˈkān 

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 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

2 of 2

verb

caned; caning

transitive verb

1

: to beat (someone) 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 of cane

Noun

• baton

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

However, cane begonias, rex begonias, and wax begonias all adapt well to indoor living and can either be grown as permanent houseplants or moved back outdoors after winter. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 28 Sep. 2026

More recently, Timothée Chalamet donned the top hat and cane in a prequel story, Wonka, exploring the life of the eccentric businessman and magician in an entirely new tale. — Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026

Verb

Cyrus quickly canes them both—the softer Adam for needing assistance, the defter Charles for providing it. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026

In 2025, Miami University in Ohio suspended its Kappa Alpha Psi chapter through 2040 after an investigation found prospective new members were subjected to physical abuse, including paddling and caning. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

circa 1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cane

• candy cane
• cane corso
• cane sugar
• cane toad
• dumb cane
• malacca cane
• sword cane
• the cane

Rhymes for cane

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign
• gain

Kids Definition

cane

1 of 2 noun

ˈkān 

1

a

: a jointed plant stem that is usually slender and more or less flexible

b

: any of various tall woody grasses or reeds

especially : sugarcane

2

a

: walking stick sense 1

b

: a rod for flogging

c

: rattan sense 2

cane

2 of 2 verb

caned; caning

1

: to beat with a cane

2

: to make with cane

cane the seat of a chair