ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cane

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkeɪn// UK //kˈeɪn// cane Slang

n. a long, thin stick used to help someone walk or as a tool for gardening. It is usually made from wood or the stem of a plant like bamboo.

n. a long, slender, flexible stem of a plant, such as bamboo or rattan, or a walking stick fashioned from such materials.


SIMPLE

He leans on a wooden cane to help him walk.

CONTEXTUAL

The gardener used a tall bamboo cane to support the tomato plants as they grew toward the sun.

COMPLEX

While modern walking sticks are often made of lightweight carbon fiber, the traditional cane remains a symbol of elegance in formal attire and a practical tool for those with limited mobility.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English cane, canne, from Old French cane (“sugar cane”), from Latin canna (“reed”), from Ancient Greek κάννα (kánna), from Akkadian 𒄀 (qanû, “reed”), from Sumerian 𒄀𒈾 (gi.na). Doublet of canna and kaneh. Related to channel and canal.

Usage

Commonly refers to both the raw material and the finished walking aid.

© 2026 English Reference