can

/ˈkæn/

verb

1
(auxiliary verb, defective) To know how to; to be able to.
“She can speak English, French, and German. I can play football. Can you remember your fifth birthday?”
2
(modal auxiliary verb, defective) May; to be permitted or enabled to.
“You can go outside and play when you're finished with your homework. Can I use your pen?”
3
(modal auxiliary verb, defective) To have the potential to; be possible.
“Animals can experience emotions.”
4
(auxiliary verb, defective) Used with verbs of perception.
“Can you hear that?.”
5
To know.

1
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.
2
A container used to carry and dispense water for plants (a watering can).
3
A tin-plate canister, often cylindrical, for preserved foods such as fruit, meat, or fish.
4
A chamber pot, now a toilet or lavatory.
“Bob's in the can. You can wait a few minutes or just leave it with me.”
5
Buttocks.
6
Jail or prison.
“Bob's in the can. He won't be back for a few years.”
7
(in the plural) Headphones.
8
A drinking cup.
9
A cube-shaped buoy or marker used to denote a port-side lateral mark
10
A chimney pot.
11
(in the plural) an E-meter used in Scientology auditing.

1
To seal in a can.
“They canned air to sell as a novelty to tourists.”
2
To preserve by heating and sealing in a jar or can.
“They spent August canning fruit and vegetables.”
3
To discard, scrap or terminate (an idea, project, etc.).
“He canned the whole project because he thought it would fail.”
4
To shut up.
“Can your gob.”
5
To fire or dismiss an employee.
“The boss canned him for speaking out.”
6
To hole the ball.

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