Cannae

American

[kan-ee] / ˈkæn i /

noun

an ancient town in SE Italy: Hannibal defeated the Romans here 216 b.c.

Cannae British

/ ˈkæniː /

noun

an ancient city in SE Italy: scene of a victory by Hannibal over the Romans (216 _bc )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Or, according to your taste, it already represents the most disastrous defeat for a major power since the Romans were out-generaled at Cannae by Hannibal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The pair hit it off - and Cath even ended up singing the traditional Scottish children's song, Ye Cannae Shove Yer Granny Aff A Bus, to him.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2024

Most of Rome’s Italian allies remained loyal, however, even after Hannibal repeatedly defeated Roman armies, and after his decisive victory at the Battle of Cannae.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Foley’s Cannae Holdings announced in a separate statement that the Las Vegas-based firm paid $126 million for a 50.1% stake in the partnership.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2022

Such a disaster had not happened since Cannae.

From Ancient Rome The Lives of Great Men by Hamilton, Mary Agnes

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