garbage can

American  

noun

• garbage cans
  plural

1. a container, usually of metal or plastic, for the disposal of waste matter, especially kitchen refuse.

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garbage can British  

noun

1. Also called: ash bin, ash can, trash can, dustbin. a large, usually cylindrical container for refuse, esp one used by a household

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• garbage cans
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of garbage can

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

garbage can

Next to an upside-down garbage can improbably sprouting legs and a head and tinnily broadcasting “God Bless America” is a figure group modeled on the famous image of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

Another created an animated video, geared to a Latino audience, showing Angelenos lining the streets to cheer as Pratt wheels a garbage can piled with trash and the incumbent mayor.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

"They don't see us as a town. To them we're just another garbage can," she said.

From Barron's ● May 13, 2026

People snow skiing down Bourbon Street in New Orleans, garbage can lids and plastic baby pools used as makeshift sleds, snowmen on the beach; it was something out of this world.

From Salon ● Jan. 29, 2025

I'm sweating and shaking and the whole school is staring at me, and I cannot believe I kicked the garbage can.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

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Related Words

• dustbin
• trash can

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