garbage can
60
1.0
- noun
- /ˈɡɑːrbɪdʒ kæn/
- US
:
cubo de basura
- Please throw your leftover food in the garbage can so the kitchen stays clean.
- boxes and garbage cans
No, we use that as a garbage can.
- No, we use that as a garbage can.
- And this little baby, so taller, they left him by a garbage can.
- And he's like, look, let's put our garbage in the garbage cans, OK?
- Because I know the way your house is set up and you have to pass by your garbage cans that are outside in order to get into your house.
Examples
-
I flipped the top of the garbage can up to throw away the onion peels.
Fiction book (1994) -
It's a small garbage can made out of wine corks.
-
I got rid of the book in the garbage can and started to walk.
Fiction book (1991) -
I picked it up and dropped it into the garbage can with a crash.
Fiction book (1993) -
These are my garbage cans.
-
Hey, someone has to empty out the garbage cans, am I right?
-
Oh, no, there's a garbage can to your left.
-
So I moved the garbage can in front of the door as a block blocker.
-
A crime scene area near the garbage cans is roped off.
Fiction book (1995) -
A dog on a leash lifted its leg against some garbage cans while its owner pretended not to notice.
Fiction book (1995)
Synonyms
214
1.0
A container where people put waste to be taken away
190
2.7
A large metal container for holding garbage outside buildings
119
1.0
A container with a lid for storing or throwing away things
72
1.0
A container for holding rubbish until it is collected
15
1.0
A container with an open top for holding paper and small bits of rubbish
10
1.0
A container for household rubbish
4
1.0
A container for holding rubbish until it is taken away
3
1.6
A bin with an open top for throwing away paper and small rubbish
2
1.1
A large round bin for holding rubbish until someone collects it
2
1.3
A container with an open top for small trash like paper
1
4.8
A container that holds rubbish until someone empties it
A bin for rubbish kept until it is collected
A small open container for throwing away paper and other small rubbish
A bin in public places where people put trash
A container for cold ashes and small pieces of household trash
A container for household rubbish that collectors empty
How Big
- US
190
2.7
- UK
1
4.5
- US
60
1.0
- US
72
1.0
- US
15
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a container for household waste' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'garbage' (waste) with 'can' (a container). This is a regular noun + noun compound pattern and follows common cross-linguistic logic for naming containers, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Garbage can comes from the simple idea of putting garbage into a can, a metal container with a lid. Picture a covered metal bucket by the street holding the family's trash — that's why it means 'a container for household waste'.