verb
/kən, ˈkæn/ past tense could /kəd, ˈkʊd/; present tense for both singular and plural can; negative cannot /ˈkænɑt, kəˈnɑːt, Brit ˈkænət/ or can't /ˈkænt, Brit ˈkɑːnt/
[modal verb]
to be able to (do something)
used to describe what someone sees, feels, thinks, etc.
a - used to say that something is or is not possible
b - used in speech to express surprise or disbelief
to have permission to (do something)
b - used in speech to make a request or suggestion
a - used to say what should or should not be done
b - used in angry speech to tell someone to do something
a - used to describe the way a person sometimes behaves
b - used to describe something that sometimes or often happens
no can do
informal + humorous - used in speech to say that you cannot do something that you have been asked or told to do
noun
plural cans
[count] a closed metal container that is usually shaped like a cylinder and that holds food or drink
the food or drink that is in a can
a metal or plastic container that has a removable top and that is used for holding liquid, trash, etc.
spray can
can of worms
a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems
carry the can
Brit informal :to accept blame or responsibility for something that you did not cause
in the can
of a film, recording, etc. :completed and ready to be released
the can
US informal
the part of the body that you sit on :buttocks
a room with a toilet :bathroom
toilet
a prison or jail
verb
cans; canned; canning
[+ obj] chiefly US :to preserve food by putting it in a metal or glass container
US informal :to dismiss (someone) from a job
US informal :to stop or end (something)