Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A container of tin-coated sheet metal used especially for preserving food.
  • noun Informal A naval destroyer.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun a container, usually cylindrical, made out of sheet metal coated with tin
  • noun a container, usually cylindrical, made out of sheet metal coated with aluminum
  • noun nautical a destroyer

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun informal term for a destroyer
  • noun airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word tin can.

Examples

    Sorry, no example sentences found.

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • Slang for a WW II U.S. Navy destroyer.

    December 9, 2007

  • In the song 'Space Oddity', David Bowie uses it as shorthand for a spaceship or rocket.

    July 2, 2008

  • You can see the similarity on both counts: Small, immobile unless tossed, easily crushed, used to store small brined fish or sugary beverages.

    July 3, 2008