canning: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to technical; the informal 'firing' sense is casual.
Quick answer
What does “canning” mean?
The process of preserving food by sealing it in airtight containers, typically metal tins or glass jars, and heating it to destroy microorganisms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of preserving food by sealing it in airtight containers, typically metal tins or glass jars, and heating it to destroy microorganisms.
1. The act of putting something into cans or containers. 2. (Informal, US) The act of dismissing someone from their job; firing. 3. The industrial or domestic activity of processing and sealing products (not just food) in cans.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'canning' for food preservation. The informal meaning 'dismissing/firing' is predominantly American.
Connotations
In both, the food sense evokes tradition, self-sufficiency, or industry. In AmE, the slang sense carries negative, abrupt connotations.
Frequency
The food preservation sense is moderately common in both. The 'firing' sense is low-frequency slang in AmE and rare in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “canning” in a Sentence
[subject] + be + involved in + canning[subject] + do the canning of + [object][subject] + specialise in + canningVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “canning” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She spent the weekend canning plum jam from the orchard.
- The factory is canning peas at a rate of ten thousand tins an hour.
American English
- She's canning green beans from her garden for the winter.
- After the bad quarter, the new CEO started canning managers left and right. (slang)
adverb
British English
- This is not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- This is not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- We need to buy some new canning jars.
- The canning industry is vital to the region's economy.
American English
- Do you have a canning pot for this? It needs to be deep.
- He lost his job in the latest canning spree at the office. (slang attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the industrial food processing sector, e.g., 'The canning division saw increased profits.'
Academic
Used in food science, history, or agricultural studies, e.g., 'The invention of canning revolutionized food logistics.'
Everyday
Refers to home preservation of fruits and vegetables, e.g., 'My grandmother taught me the art of canning.'
Technical
Involves specific processes like pasteurization, vacuum sealing, and sterilization times.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “canning”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “canning”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “canning”
- Using 'canning' to refer to any type of preservation (e.g., pickling or freezing). Confusing the gerund 'canning' with the modal verb 'can' + '-ing' form of another verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the word originates from 'tin can', modern usage includes preservation in glass jars (like jam jars), though the process is technically the same.
'Canning' is the overarching term for hermetic thermal preservation. 'Bottling' often implies liquids in glass bottles (beer, juice). 'Jarring' is a subset of canning, specifically using glass jars. In practice, they are often used interchangeably in a domestic context.
Yes, though less common. It can refer to putting any substance into cans, e.g., 'canning paint' or 'canning film footage' (archival, but the metaphor is from the container).
Use it cautiously as it's informal and potentially harsh. It's typically used in the passive voice or as a gerund: 'He got canned yesterday' or 'The canning of the old staff caused a lot of tension.' It is primarily American.
The process of preserving food by sealing it in airtight containers, typically metal tins or glass jars, and heating it to destroy microorganisms.
Canning is usually neutral to technical; the informal 'firing' sense is casual. in register.
Canning: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæn.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæn.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The canning season is upon us.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAN. CAN-NING is the action of putting things INTO CANS to keep them fresh.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRESERVATION IS CAPTURING TIME (capturing summer's harvest for winter).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'canning' used as informal American slang?