A cane is a walking stick that helps someone move more easily. People who have trouble balancing, weak legs, or painful joints often use a cane for extra support. A cane typically reaches from the ground to about waist height and has a curved handle at the top that fits comfortably in your hand. When someone walks with a cane, they lean some of their weight on it with each step, which makes walking less tiring and safer.

The word also refers to the tall, woody stems of certain plants like bamboo or sugar cane. These plant stems are strong and flexible, which is why people have used them for thousands of years to make everything from furniture to fishing poles. In fact, many walking canes are made from these same plant stems.

Sugar cane deserves special mention: it's a tropical grass that grows taller than most adults. When you crush the stems, sweet juice pours out, and that juice can be turned into the sugar you sprinkle on cereal or stir into lemonade.