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Definition of can 2 noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

can2

noun
 
 
/kæn/
 
/kæn/
Idioms
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  1.  
    (British English also tin)
    [countable] a metal container in which food and drink is sold
    • can of something a can of beans/beer/cola
    • a beer can
    • He opened the can and took a large swig.
    • an aluminium/tin can
    In North American English can is the usual word used for both food and drink. In British English can is always used for drink, but tin or can can be used for food and other substances such as paint or varnish.
    Extra Examples
    • She sipped from a can of Coke.
    • The floor was littered with empty food cans.
    • This special type of milk comes in a can.
    • We opened a can of sardines for lunch.
    • a 200 g can of tuna
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • aluminium/​aluminum
    • metal
    • tin
    • …
    verb + can
    • come in
    • open
    • drain
    • …
    can + noun
    • opener
    preposition
    • in a/​the can
    • can of
    See full entry
  2.  
     [countable] the amount contained in a can
    • can of something We drank a can of Coke each.
    • Have you eaten the whole can?
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • aluminium/​aluminum
    • metal
    • tin
    • …
    verb + can
    • come in
    • open
    • drain
    • …
    can + noun
    • opener
    preposition
    • in a/​the can
    • can of
    See full entry
  3. [countable] a metal or plastic container for holding or carrying liquids
    • a petrol can
    • He filled a can with water from the pump.
    see also watering can
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • aluminium/​aluminum
    • metal
    • tin
    • …
    verb + can
    • come in
    • open
    • drain
    • …
    can + noun
    • opener
    preposition
    • in a/​the can
    • can of
    See full entry
  4. [countable] a metal container in which liquids are kept under pressure and let out in a fine spray when you press a button on the top
    • a can of hairspray
    see also spray can
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • aluminium/​aluminum
    • metal
    • tin
    • …
    verb + can
    • come in
    • open
    • drain
    • …
    can + noun
    • opener
    preposition
    • in a/​the can
    • can of
    See full entry
  5. the can
     [singular] (North American English, slang) prison
  6. the can
     [singular] (North American English, slang) the toilet
    7. see also garbage can, trash can
    Word OriginOld English canne, related to Dutch kan and German Kanne; either of Germanic origin or from late Latin canna.
Idioms
be in the can
  1. (informal) (especially of filmed or recorded material) to be completed and ready for useTopics Film and theatrec2
a can of worms
  1. (informal) if you open up a can of worms, you start doing something that will cause a lot of problems and be very difficult
carry the can (for something/somebody)
  1. (British English, informal) to accept the blame for something, especially when it is not your fault
kick the can (down the road)
  1. (informal) to delay dealing with a problem
    • This is another attempt to kick the can down the road and leave it to the next generation.
See can in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee can in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: can2

Nearby words

trait
noun
 
 
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