1
a(1)
: a hollow or pithy, usually slender, and often flexible jointed stem (as of a reed or bamboo)
a fishing pole made of cane
(2)
: any of various slender woody stems
especially
: an elongated flowering or fruiting stem (as of a rose) usually arising directly from the ground
c
: rattan sense 2b
especially
: split rattan for wickerwork or basketwork
2
: a stick typically of wood or metal with a usually curved handle at one end that is grasped to provide stability in walking or standing
3
: a rod or stick used for flogging
4
: a tiny glass rod used in decorative glasswork (as in millefiori and paperweights)
caned; caning
1
: to beat with a cane
he sat in a professor's chair and caned sophomores for blowing spitballs—
H. L. Mencken
H. L. Mencken2
: to weave or furnish with cane
cane the seat of a chair
Synonyms
Examples of cane in a Sentence
Noun
In the past, some teachers would resort to the cane when students misbehaved.
The chair seat is made of cane.
Verb
In the past, some teachers would cane students who misbehaved.
Recent Examples on the WebNora Walsh, New York Times, 31 May 2024
Olivia Wertheimer, a multi-media artist who uses a cane and suffers from fibromyalgia, said her roommate, who has even less mobility, has not left the apartment in a week.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 29 May 2024
Lyndi McNulty, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2024
The Government of India argued that its officers were legally permitted to use violence in all situations, including whipping, caning, forced crawling, and indefinite detainment, with only two exceptions.
—TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cane 
Noun
Once the gold stopped coming through Paraty for export in the early 1700s, the town continued to harvest sugar cane and produce cachaça, the national spirit, before shifting its economic focus to the coffee trade.
—Nora Walsh, New York Times, 31 May 2024
Olivia Wertheimer, a multi-media artist who uses a cane and suffers from fibromyalgia, said her roommate, who has even less mobility, has not left the apartment in a week.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 29 May 2024
Verb
Her mother was gifted at making crafts, sewing, weaving baskets and chair caning.
—Lyndi McNulty, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2024
The Government of India argued that its officers were legally permitted to use violence in all situations, including whipping, caning, forced crawling, and indefinite detainment, with only two exceptions.
—TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cane
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cane
Cite this Entry
“Cane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cane. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cane
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a jointed plant stem that is usually slender and more or less flexible
b
: any of various tall woody grasses or reeds
especially
: sugarcane
2
cane
2 of 2 verb
caned; caning
1
: to beat with a cane
2
: to make with cane
cane the seat of a chair
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share