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
Fresh, store- or restaurant-bought soups may balance convenience and quality, while canned varieties are the most shelf-stable but typically rely on higher sodium levels, preservatives and usually have less to offer nutritionally.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
Nonperishables are important for this, so canned and other shelf-stable foods are important to have on standby.
—Ray Petelin, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
This dish is a perfect example of why canned beans are our go-to for quick weeknight dinners.
—Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
The basement included shelves and storage rooms with survival preparations that included canned and non-perishable food and water.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canned
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Cite this Entry
“Canned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canned. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Kids 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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