cane

The word “cane” means the tall, jointed stem of plants like bamboo or sugar cane. In plain terms, a stem of a tall plant, a walking stick, or (informally) to beat or thoroughly defeat.

“Cane” is pronounced kayn (/keɪn/ in IPA).

Here is “cane” used in a sentence: “Workers cut the cane by hand before the harvest.”

Depending on how it is used, “cane” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “cane” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French cane, "sugar cane," from Latin canna, "reed," ultimately from an Ancient Greek word borrowed from Akkadian. Related to "channel" and "canal.".

“Cane” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Cane” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the tall, jointed stem of plants like bamboo or sugar cane.

A cane and a walking stick both refer to a support used while walking, and the terms are largely interchangeable in everyday use. Cane can also describe the tall, jointed stem of plants like bamboo or sugar cane, a meaning walking stick does not share.

To cane someone means to hit them with a cane as a form of punishment, historically used as a disciplinary method. Informally, to cane someone can also mean to heavily defeat or criticize them, as in sports or debate.

Sugar cane refers to the tall, jointed stem of the sugar cane plant, from which sugar is extracted. The word cane describes this stem structure, similar to that of bamboo.