can2

Syllabification: (can)

Pronunciation: /kan/

Definition of can

1a cylindrical metal container:a garbage can a can of paint
a small steel or aluminum container in which food or drink is hermetically sealed for storage over long periods:soup cans
the quantity of food or drink held by a can:he drank two cans of beer

[with object]

2North American informal dismiss (someone) from their job:he was canned because of a fight over promotion
reject (something) as inadequate:the editorial team was so disappointed that they canned the project

Phrases

a can of worms: a complicated matter likely to prove awkward or embarrassing:to question the traditional model of education opens up a can of worms
in the can: informal on tape or film and ready to be broadcast or released.

Old English canne, related to Dutch kan and German Kanne; either of Germanic origin or from late Latin canna

Definition of can in the British & World English dictionary