# cane

/ˈkeɪn/ (US) · /kˈeɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cane
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. walking stick

noun · CEFR B1

a long, thin stick that helps you walk if you are injured or elderly.

For teachers: a sturdy, slender stick used as an aid to mobility or as a fashion accessory.

- After his knee surgery, he had to use a cane to get around the house.
- The elderly gentleman leaned heavily on his silver-topped cane as he navigated the uneven cobblestones of the old town square.

### 2. the plant

noun · CEFR B2

the long, hollow stem of plants like bamboo or sugar.

For teachers: the woody, often hollow or jointed stem of certain perennial grasses, such as bamboo or sugar cane.

- Workers spent the day in the fields cutting down the sugar cane.
- The plantation stretched for miles, with rows of tall cane swaying rhythmically in the tropical breeze.

### 3. furniture material

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

strips of flexible wood used to make the seats or backs of chairs.

For teachers: split rattan or similar flexible plant material woven into wickerwork for furniture.

- The old wooden chair had a seat made of woven cane.
- The restorer spent hours meticulously replacing the damaged cane on the antique Victorian armchair to match the original pattern.

### 4. to hit

verb · CEFR B2

to hit someone with a stick as a punishment.

For teachers: to inflict corporal punishment by striking with a cane. Transitive; usually implies a formal or historical disciplinary context.

- In the past, teachers were allowed to cane students who misbehaved.
- Historical records indicate that the headmaster would cane any pupil found guilty of serious academic dishonesty.

### 5. to do intensely

verb · CEFR C1 · British English · Slang

to do something very fast or with a lot of energy.

For teachers: to perform an action with great speed, intensity, or competence. Often used in the context of driving or sports.

- He was really caning it down the motorway to get home on time.
- The team started caning the opposition in the second half, scoring three goals in quick succession.

## Examples

- He leans on a wooden cane to help him walk.
- The gardener used a tall bamboo cane to support the tomato plants as they grew toward the sun.
- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.