can

1 a metal container in the shape of a cylinder the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency Synonyms barrel, canister (also cannister), drum, tin Related Words bucket, pail; cannikin; tin can

2 a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody the protesters were rounded up and thrown in the can Synonyms bastille, big house [slang], bridewell, brig, calaboose, jail, clink [slang], cooler, coop, guardroom, hock, hold, hoosegow, jailhouse, joint [slang], jug, lockup, nick [British slang], pen, penitentiary, pokey [slang], prison, quod [British slang], slam, slammer, stir [slang], stockade, tolbooth [Scottish]Related Words bull pen, cage, cell, hole, tank; block, ward; glasshouse [British], guardhouse, hulk(s); concentration camp, gulag, labor camp, prison camp, stalag, work camp; dungeon, keep, oubliette; reformatory, reform school, training schoolNear Antonyms outside

3 a room furnished with a fixture for flushing body waste excuse me, I need to use the can Synonyms bath, bathroom, bog [British], toilet, cloakroom [British], comfort station, convenience [chiefly British], head, john, latrine, lavatory, loo [chiefly British], potty, restroom, washroom, water closetRelated Words commode, pan [British], pot; garderobe, jakes, outhouse, privy; half bath, powder room; ladies [chiefly British], ladies' room, men's room

4 the part of the body upon which someone sits she claims a guy on the subway gave her a pinch on the can Synonyms backside, behind, booty (also bootie) [slang], bottom, breech, bum, buns, butt, caboose, buttocks, cheeks, derriere (or derrière), duff, fanny, fundament, hams, haunches, heinie [slang], hunkers, keister (also keester) [slang], nates, posterior, rear, rear end, rump, seat, tail, tail end, tush [slang]Related Words beam, stern; moon [slang]