garbage can

American  

noun

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

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of garbage can

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

He opened the lid to the metal garbage can.

From Literature

A group of students from Seikei University in Tokyo began walking around Shibuya last year carrying garbage cans on their backs like book bags.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You think you can get Cora Phillips to even talk to you after the garbage can incident?”

From Literature

They have lost interest in the mundane—how cereal boxes, air conditioners, fish-stick packages or garbage cans will change over the coming years.

From The Wall Street Journal

They can be as large as buildings or as small as garbage cans.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dustbin
• trash can