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

Sugar cane and other farming led to phosphate pollution, which changed the region’s flora. — Gena Steffens, Smithsonian, "The Snakes That Ate Florida," 11 July 2019 Maintain healthy foliage The rosebush needs its leaves for the production of energy and also to provide shade for the canes and the base of the bush. — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Water needs for roses rise with summer temperatures," 11 July 2019 Not far from Abu Sido’s workshop is Khalaf’s Carpentry, known for making prized cane and bamboo furniture. — Washington Post, "Gaza’s traditional crafts industries rapidly disappearing," 10 July 2019 In 1828, Monroe sold up to two dozen enslaved people for $5,000 to Joseph Mills White, the owner of Casa Bianca, a cane and cotton plantation just outside Monticello, Fla., to pay off mounting debt after his presidency. — New York Times, "James Monroe Enslaved Hundreds. Their Descendants Still Live Next Door.," 7 July 2019 Knievel, who walks with the aid of a cane and sometimes a crutch, has another reason for the soar through the air. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "From the Archives: 1969: Evel Knievel at the Carlsbad Raceway," 21 June 2019 This could cripple livelihoods across the predominantly agricultural country, where 80% of water is used to irrigate thirsty crops such as sugar cane and rice. — Jessie Yeung, Helen Regan And Swati Gupta, CNN, "India's sixth biggest city is almost entirely out of water," 19 June 2019 The toll of the sport is visible and tangible in the alumni’s slow gaits and limps, and canes and wheelchairs. — Kalyn Kahler, SI.com, "The Bears at 100: Cheers and a Few Tears," 11 June 2019 What a joy to wander outside after writing a column, only to discover the raspberry patch has already been cleaned of last year’s canes and this year’s have been properly pruned and primed. — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "I insisted on keeping a tight grip on the garden. Then I let my wife help.," 6 June 2019

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.