cane

\ 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 Try a Hawaiian meal of poke and other local specialties, and visit a working sugar factory to see how raw cane is transformed into sweetener. — National Geographic, "Hawai‘i Middle School Expedition," 10 Sep. 2019 His knees are about eight feet apart, even though there are old ladies with canes waiting to sit down. — Mark Cognata, The New Yorker, "Sexual Fantasies of Everyday New Yorkers," 31 Aug. 2019 The cornbread with black pepper and cane syrup butter replaces a more traditional breadbasket. — Polly Campbell, Cincinnati.com, "And the best bistros in Greater Cincinnati are ...," 28 Aug. 2019 Their other programs include white cane training and a summer camp for teenagers who are blind or visually impaired. — Karen Burke, Detroit Free Press, "Why I choose to go over the edge for Leader Dogs for the Blind," 21 Aug. 2019 What more can a moviegoer ask for from a candy cane-sweet holiday film? — Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, "'Last Christmas' trailer is a gift to your cynical heart," 14 Aug. 2019 At age 20, during his sophomore year at UConn in 2010, Oberg needed that cane just to get out of bed and to hobble around campus. — Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, "Rockies’ Scott Oberg: How the resilient right-hander became a closer," 4 Aug. 2019 Every pothole in the sidewalk could be fatal, every extra stair a promotion from cane to wheelchair. — Diane Grosklaus Whitty, Harper's magazine, "Senior Portrait," 16 Sep. 2019 The brand also uses other sustainable materials like recycled water bottles for the polyester in the laces, recycled cardboard that makes up 90% of the packaging, sugar cane in the foam sole, and castor bean oil in the insole. — Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, "We Reviewed Allbirds, the "World's Most Comfortable" Shoes — Here's What You Need to Know," 11 Sep. 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.