garbage can
noun
a container, usually of metal or plastic, for the disposal of waste matter, especially kitchen refuse.
garbage cans
-
pluralof garbage can.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
Green garbage cans were lined up along the entrance to the lot, for people to store their belongings in if they wanted to go into shelters.
From Slate ● Mar. 25, 2026
She wedges garbage cans into corners to prevent flipping, and warns her guests not to leave their coats within Stella’s reach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 3, 2026
Raccoons are known for breaking into peoples garbage cans, leading to the nickname "trash panda".
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2025
On the chopping block are hundreds — and potentially thousands — of park rangers who respond to medical emergencies, as well as visitor center employees and the crews that clean bathrooms and empty garbage cans.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2025
From the driveway came a series of shrieks and scrapes; a squirrel, Theresa discovered, had gotten into one of the garbage cans, and was frantically trying to find its way out.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
