1
: preserved in a sealed can or jar
canned peaches
canned pumpkin
2
a
: prepared or recorded in advance
especially
: prepared in standardized form for nonspecific use or wide distribution
canned laughter
canned music
b
: lacking originality or individuality as if mass-produced
a canned speech
3
slang
: drunk sense 1a
Examples of canned in a Sentence
The salesperson kept using the same canned phrases.
there's a canned quality to the screenplay that reminds you of countless other action movies
Recent Examples on the Web
Though the restaurant wrapped up its collections earlier this week, Alviany Dominguez, 53, still stopped by Wednesday morning to donate canned food.
—
Melody Xu,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
There were ten of us, with several large sacks of nonperishable items—canned fish, soap, bottled water—along with more than six hundred arepas that the villagers had cooked the night before.
—
Armando Ledezma,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
From sparkling canned drinks to wine and beer and specialty fruit juices, the drink selection at your local Trader Joe's includes a vast array of ways to quench your thirst, especially during the warmer months.
—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
25 June 2026
Some beer companies even make canned versions of the drink, but forget that nonsense — there is nothing better than a fresh, handmade michelada.
—
Richard Guzman,
Daily News,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for canned
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Melody Xu,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
There were ten of us, with several large sacks of nonperishable items—canned fish, soap, bottled water—along with more than six hundred arepas that the villagers had cooked the night before.
—
Armando Ledezma,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
From sparkling canned drinks to wine and beer and specialty fruit juices, the drink selection at your local Trader Joe's includes a vast array of ways to quench your thirst, especially during the warmer months.
—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
25 June 2026
Some beer companies even make canned versions of the drink, but forget that nonsense — there is nothing better than a fresh, handmade michelada.
—
Richard Guzman,
Daily News,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for canned
Cite this Entry
“Canned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canned. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
canned
adjective1
: preserved in a sealed can or jar
canned peaches
2
a
: prepared or recorded in advance
especially
: prepared in one form for ordinary use or wide distribution
canned laughter
b
: lacking originality as if mass-produced
a canned speech
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