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coffee can

American  
[kaw-fee kan] / ˈkɔ fi ˌkæn /

noun

coffee cans plural
  1. a cylindrical metal container in which coffee is packaged and retailed, often retained as a handy vessel for storing small items or cash in.

  2. a metal canister specially designed for storing coffee beans so as to preserve freshness and flavor.

  3. British. a cylindrical china cup for drinking coffee.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

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.

See Examples For:

The researchers found that several compounds in coffee can bind to NR4A1 and alter its activity.

From Science Daily Jul. 19, 2026

The fewer stocks you put in your coffee can, Bessembinder found, the more likely you were to underperform.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 30, 2026

The restrictions mostly make sense: coffee can spike stress, eggs and wheat affect blood sugar, meat can inflame, and some fruits and vegetables irritate sensitive stomachs.

From Salon Aug. 23, 2025

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo took a break on a warm day, wiped his brow and pointed out the Folgers coffee can in the corner of his office.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 25, 2025

Before I could answer, she got out a big black frying pan and poured some bacon grease in it out of a coffee can that was sitting on top the stove.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

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