can

1 of 5

verb (1)

kən,
ˈkan How to pronounce can (audio)
 also  ˈken;
 dialectal  ˈkin
past could
kəd,
ˈku̇d How to pronounce can (audio)
; present singular & plural can

auxiliary verb

1
a
: be physically or mentally able to
He can lift 200 pounds.
b
: know how to
She can read.
c
used to indicate possibility
Do you think he can still be alive?
Those things can happen.
sometimes used interchangeably with may
d
: be inherently able or designed to
everything that money can buy
e
: be enabled by law, agreement, or custom to
Congress can declare war.
f
: be permitted by conscience or feeling to
can hardly blame her
g
: be made possible or probable by circumstances to
He can hardly have meant that.
h
: be logically or axiologically able to
2 + 2 can also be written 3 + 1.
2
: have permission to
used interchangeably with may
You can go now if you like.

transitive verb

1
archaic : to be able to do, make, or accomplish
2
obsolete : know, understand

intransitive verb

archaic : to have knowledge or skill
Can vs. May: Usage Guide

Can and may are most frequently interchangeable in uses denoting possibility; because the possibility of one's doing something may depend on another's acquiescence, they have also become interchangeable in the sense denoting permission. The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some commentators feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts. May is relatively rare in negative constructions (mayn't is not common); cannot and can't are usual in such contexts.

can

2 of 5

noun

plural cans
1
: a usually cylindrical receptacle:
a
: a container (as of tinplate) in which products (such as perishable foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use
a can of beans
b
: a usually metal typically cylindrical receptacle usually with an open top, often with a removable cover, and sometimes with a spout or side handles (as for holding liquid or trash)
c
: a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables
d
: a vessel for holding liquids
specifically : a drinking vessel
… in his hand did bear a boozing canEdmund Spenser
e
: a recessed lighting fixture
Augment natural light with recessed cans in the ceiling, sconces on side walls, or a table lamp on a shelf …Jill Connors
2
informal : buttocks
He needs a kick in the can.
3
informal
a
: toilet
sitting on the can
b
: bathroom sense 1
He locked himself in the can and wouldn't come out.
4
informal : jail
The cops threw him in the can.
5
slang : destroyer sense 2
served on a can during the battle
6
informal : headphone
usually plural
You don't realize just how noisy it is inside a plane until you put on a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones … . I generally leave the noise-cancelling cans on even when I'm not listening to anything at all—the relative quiet makes a long trip less stressful.Steven Morgenstern
canful noun

can

3 of 5

verb (2)

canned; canning

transitive verb

1
a
: to put in a can : preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars
can tomatoes
b
: to hit (a golf shot) into the cup
c
: to hit (a shot) in basketball
2
: to discharge from employment
got canned for being late so often
3
slang : to put a stop or end to
were told to can the chatter
canner noun

can

4 of 5

abbreviation (1)

1
canceled; cancellation
2
cannon
3
canto

Can

5 of 5

abbreviation (2)

variants or Canad
Canada; Canadian
Phrases
in the can
of a film or videotape : completed and ready for release

Examples of can in a Sentence

Noun He ate the whole can of beans. the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency Verb (2) can the chatter, or I'm kicking you out of this library the cashier was summarily canned for stealing from the registers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Laura Garrett, 33, was arrested on Tuesday, accused of hitting him in the back of the head with a can following an argument, according to police affidavits obtained by Newsweek. MAGA—or Make America Great Again—is a slogan popularized by President Donald Trump. Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 Video surveillance appeared to show a man with a can of food luring the cat before grabbing the animal and driving away in a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 For drinks, grab a can of Coke or Pepsi, a bottle of Tropical banana soda — or one of the aguas frescas ($4). Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, La Catracha also serves a breakfast of ripe plantain, beans, cheese, sour cream, eggs and avocado for $12. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025 In brief, military forces had airdropped all sorts of supplies to such islands including cans of food, boxes of medicines, and the like, doing so to support the war effort and their troops underway at that time. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for can

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English; akin to Old High German kan (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) know, am able, Old English cnāwan to know — more at know

Noun

Middle English canne, from Old English; akin to Old High German channa

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of can was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Can.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/can. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

can

1 of 3 helping verb
kən How to pronounce can (audio)
(ˈ)kan
past could kəd How to pronounce can (audio)
(ˈ)ku̇d
; present singular & plural can
1
a
: know how to
we can read
b
: be able to
I can hear you
c
: be permitted by conscience or feeling to
they can hardly blame you
d
: have the power or right to
2
: have permission to : may
you can go now

can

2 of 3 noun
1
: a metal container usually shaped like a cylinder
a soda can
2
: the contents of a can
ate the whole can of beans

can

3 of 3 verb
canned; canning
1
: to prepare for future use by sealing in an airtight can or jar
can tomatoes
2
: to dismiss from a job : fire
3
slang : to put a stop or end to
told to can the chatter
canner noun
Etymology

Helping verb

Old English can "to know, know how to"

Noun

Old English canne "container"

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