Dictionary

(auxiliary verb, defective) To know how to; to be able to.

Example: She can speak English, French, and German.   I can play football.   Can you remember your fifth birthday?

(modal auxiliary verb, defective) May; to be permitted or enabled to.

Example: You can go outside and play when you're finished with your homework.   Can I use your pen?

(modal auxiliary verb, defective) To have the potential to; be possible.

Example: Animals can experience emotions.

(auxiliary verb, defective) Used with verbs of perception.

Example: Can you hear that?.

A more or less cylindrical vessel for liquids, usually of steel or aluminium, but sometimes of plastic, and with a carrying handle over the top.

A container used to carry and dispense water for plants (a watering can).

A tin-plate canister, often cylindrical, for preserved foods such as fruit, meat, or fish.

A chamber pot, now a toilet or lavatory.

Example: Bob's in the can. You can wait a few minutes or just leave it with me.

To seal in a can.

Example: They canned air to sell as a novelty to tourists.

To preserve by heating and sealing in a jar or can.

Example: They spent August canning fruit and vegetables.

To discard, scrap or terminate (an idea, project, etc.).

Example: He canned the whole project because he thought it would fail.

To shut up.

Example: Can your gob.