garbage can

noun

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

garbage can

noun

1. a large, usually cylindrical container for refuse, esp one used by a household Also calledash binash cantrash canin Britain (and certain other countries)dustbin

Word History and Origins

Origin of garbage can¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

I know what they smell like; I can describe it exactly: they smell like a garbage-can.

From Project Gutenberg

Fuselli and another man carried the dripping garbage-can up the ladder that led up from the mess hall.

From Project Gutenberg

The hunchback was sitting on a garbage-can, almost at the entrance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dustbin
• trash can