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 , usuallycylindrical , made out ofsheet metal coated withtin - noun a
container , usuallycylindrical , made out ofsheet metal coated withaluminum - 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
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Examples
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oroboros commented on the word tin can
Slang for a WW II U.S. Navy destroyer.
December 9, 2007
bilby commented on the word tin can
In the song 'Space Oddity', David Bowie uses it as shorthand for a spaceship or rocket.
July 2, 2008
asativum commented on the word tin can
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