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 Web
Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Upon hearing the speech, South Carolina representative Preston Brooks used his cane to beat Sumner into unconsciousness.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2024
In the nearly 250 years since its founding, the United States has witnessed its fair share of political violence, from four presidential assassinations to an 1856 caning on the Senate floor to a 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol that left at least five dead.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for cane 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Her chief cargo was rattan canes, from the island of Sumatra.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Upon hearing the speech, South Carolina representative Preston Brooks used his cane to beat Sumner into unconsciousness.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Prune the second-year, woody canes off summer-bearing raspberries once a year after the plants fruit.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2024
In the nearly 250 years since its founding, the United States has witnessed its fair share of political violence, from four presidential assassinations to an 1856 caning on the Senate floor to a 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol that left at least five dead.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for cane
Dictionary Entries Near cane
Cite this Entry
“Cane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cane. Accessed 22 Nov. 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