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oilcan

American  
[oil-kan] / ˈɔɪlˌkæn /

noun

  1. a can having a long spout through which oil is poured or squirted to lubricate machinery or the like.


oilcan British  
/ ˈɔɪlˌkæn /

noun

  1. a container with a long nozzle for applying lubricating oil to machinery

"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

Etymology

Origin of oilcan

First recorded in 1830–40; oil + can 2

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.

Later, there’s a quick cut to a farmer pouring from an oilcan into a doghouse with such purpose on his face that you don’t ask questions.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2013

Continental is about to open two new plants to make plastic bags, has just come out with a new plastic motor-oil "can"�the fourth switch in its oilcan materials in as many years.

From Time Magazine Archive

Army Signal Corps team had installed a White House telephone near by; it had been left on an upturned yellow oilcan.

From Time Magazine Archive

Made in several designs, the commonest form of filter looks like a glorified five-gallon oilcan painted Army green.

From Time Magazine Archive

He then took a moment to carefully look the whole mechanism over, and added a few drops of oil to each gear shaft from a little oilcan in his kit.

From "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick

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