the cane
noun
: a form of punishment in which a person is hit with a cane or stick
In the past, some teachers would resort to the cane when students misbehaved.
Examples of the cane in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As their lips touched, a stillness came over them even as the cane swayed and the dupatta wrapped itself around them.
—
Literary Hub,
30 June 2026
The first signs that your pet has ingested bufotoxin from the cane toad are bright red gums and excessive drooling.
—
Amaia Gavica,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
My hand was in a lot of pain from smashing the cane everywhere.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 May 2026
As Dalton went up toward the Council Chambers, they were confronted by an officer who asked if the cane was a sword.
—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 May 2026
The guidelines, which are set out on the Ministry of Education website, specify that only male students can be punished with the cane.
—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Some have quickly become familiar faces, especially the cane corso, now the 11th most prevalent breed.
—
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
Make the cut all the way down to where the cane connects to a larger cane.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
If the cane or branch is dead (dry and gray in color), cut it back to the base.
—
Maureen McCulloch,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Literary Hub,
30 June 2026
The first signs that your pet has ingested bufotoxin from the cane toad are bright red gums and excessive drooling.
—
Amaia Gavica,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
My hand was in a lot of pain from smashing the cane everywhere.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 May 2026
As Dalton went up toward the Council Chambers, they were confronted by an officer who asked if the cane was a sword.
—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 May 2026
The guidelines, which are set out on the Ministry of Education website, specify that only male students can be punished with the cane.
—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Some have quickly become familiar faces, especially the cane corso, now the 11th most prevalent breed.
—
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
Make the cut all the way down to where the cane connects to a larger cane.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
If the cane or branch is dead (dry and gray in color), cut it back to the base.
—
Maureen McCulloch,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“The cane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20cane. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
