Meaning

A container for collecting ashes, especially from wood and coal fires, for eventual disposal elsewhere..

Definitions by Sense

1. A container for collecting ashes, especially from wood and coal fires, for eventual disposal elsewhere.
2. (idiomatic) A dustbin, trash can, or the like.
3. (idiomatic, US, slang) A kind of large firecracker.
4. (transitive, informal) To throw out like rubbish; to ditch or trash.
5. Of or pertaining to the Ashcan School of American art.
6. Describing a comic book originally published solely to retain ownership of a trademark, not intended for general release; later used for promotional comic books intended for limited release to the public.

Example Sentences

He chain-lit a fresh cigarette and flicked the old butt, still smouldering, into the steel ash-can beside his drawing table.

Word Forms

• ashcans
• ashcanning
• ashcanned

Synonyms for ashcan

Related Words

When Should You Use Ashcan?

Use ashcan when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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