tin can

noun

1
: a can made of tinplate
broadly : can sense 1a
2

Examples of tin can in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The tin can easily be reused to store small items like a sewing kit, small toys, or Christmas cards. Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2022 The day is large and sharp, like the edges of tin cans. Anne Carson, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024 In one California facility, staff tried to secure a broken door with trash bags and a tin can. Steven Rich, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2023 Their next driving song will probably have tin cans dangling off the getaway car’s bumper. Vulture, 29 Nov. 2023 To imagine why these issues arise, picture yourself in a tin can with a small crew, a deadly environment outside, a monotonous schedule, an unnatural daytime-nighttime cycle and mission controllers constantly on your case. Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2023 Every day is harder than the last, a Gazan woman reports through a tin can transmitter. Zackary Drucker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2023 From homemade ones cobbled together from tree branches and rubber bands to wrist rockets and more, no tin can or soda bottle was safe. Jim Cobb, Field & Stream, 13 Sep. 2023 Hoosiers should take the following steps to eliminate them: Discard old tires, tin cans, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold water. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tin can.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tin can was in 1770

Dictionary Entries Near tin can

Cite this Entry

“Tin can.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tin%20can. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tin can

noun
: a container for food made of metal (as tinplate or aluminum)

More from Merriam-Webster on tin can

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