canned

American  

[kand] / kænd /

adjective

1. preserved in a can or jar.

   canned peaches.

2. Informal. recorded.

   canned music.

3. Informal. prepared in advance.

   a canned speech.

4. Slang. drunk.

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canned British  

/ kænd /

adjective

1. preserved and stored in airtight cans or tins

   canned meat

2. informal prepared or recorded in advance; artificial; not spontaneous

   canned music

3. a slang word for drunk

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Other Word Forms

• uncanned adjective
• well-canned adjective

Etymology

Origin of canned

First recorded in 1855–60; can ² + -ed ²

Explanation

Anything canned is stored in a jar or can. It’s usually food, but prerecorded music is also canned. And, if you get fired from a job, you’ve been canned. Don’t cry, though, it’s better than being stuck in a jar. When someone talks about "canned goods," they mean all the food you can buy that comes in a can, like canned green beans and canned pineapple. Home-preserved food is also canned, even if it's in a glass jar. This adjective takes on a derogatory slant when it describes music that's recorded rather than played live, or an answer that sounds prepared rather than real.

Example Sentences

Longer-life products such as canned goods or cereals are used to help stock the school's community cupboard.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

A 38-year-old man from Tehran said he has built up a survival kit of canned goods, water, power banks and rechargeable emergency lights just in case.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Researchers believe this method could be applied to other archived seafood, such as canned sardines, offering a new way to explore historical ecosystems.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

There are also plenty of infused canned drinks, though no handcrafted options, which is standard in California.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

The carts in the checkout line are stocked with canned goods, toiletries, but mostly water.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

• bottled