cane
kayn
Cane (noun) means the tall, jointed stem of plants like bamboo or sugar cane. Example: “Workers cut the cane by hand before the harvest.”
noun
1
The tall, jointed stem of plants like bamboo or sugar cane.
"Workers cut the cane by hand before the harvest."
"Bamboo is a tall cane that grows very quickly in warm, wet places."
"The farmer stacked the cane in bundles beside the mill."
2
A walking stick used for support while walking.
"After the surgery, he needed a cane to get around."
"Her grandfather's cane had a carved wooden handle."
"She leaned on her cane as she crossed the icy pavement."
3
A rod traditionally used for corporal punishment, or the punishment itself.
"Caning was once common in British schools."
"The headmaster kept a thin cane in his desk drawer."
"Punishment by the cane was banned in state schools years ago."
verb
1
To hit someone with a cane as punishment.
"The old headmaster was known for caning students who misbehaved."
"Teachers were once allowed to cane pupils who talked back."
"In the old story, the master caned the lazy boy."
2
Informal: to heavily defeat or criticize someone.
"The critics caned the film for its weak script."
"The newspaper caned the manager after the team's terrible season."
"Our side got caned in the final, losing by a huge margin."
How to use cane
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stem of a tall plant, a walking stick, or (informally) to beat or thoroughly defeat.
Common pairings
walking cane
sugar cane
cane someone (punish)
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Word forms
- Plural
- canes
- Third person singular
- canes
- Past tense
- caned
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Workers cut the _____ by hand before the harvest.
Etymology
From Old French cane, "sugar cane," from Latin canna, "reed," ultimately from an Ancient Greek word borrowed from Akkadian. Related to "channel" and "canal."
Related words
Rhymes for cane
See all rhymes for cane →Frequently asked questions
What does “cane” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “cane”?
“Cane” is pronounced kayn (/keɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “cane” in a sentence?
Here is “cane” used in a sentence: “Workers cut the cane by hand before the harvest.”
What part of speech is “cane”?
Depending on how it is used, “cane” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cane” come from?
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.".
Is “cane” a common word?
“Cane” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cane” have?
“Cane” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the tall, jointed stem of plants like bamboo or sugar cane.
What is the difference between a cane and a walking stick?
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.
What does it mean to cane someone?
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.
What is sugar cane made from?
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.
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