candy cane

American

[kan-dee keyn] / ˈkæn di ˌkeɪn /

noun

a stick of hard candy with a curve at one end, usually peppermint-flavored with red and white stripes.

Etymology

Origin of candy cane

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When I got the assignment, I was immediately excited and had this image in my head of placing them inside a colorful candy cane circus.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

None of this prevents “Champagne Problems” from being as sticky as a half-finished candy cane.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

Special thanks to Santa for the candy cane and photo opportunity.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 31, 2023

"So what's it gonna be, huh? You want your menorah? Or a candy cane? Hmm? Christmas or Hanukkah?" he asks.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2023

But halfway down the block from the bus stop there was a barber pole reflecting a candy cane of light from the window.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023