1. a lively French dance performed by women, characterized by high kicks and the lifting of skirts

Examples

• The dancers performed the cancan at the cabaret show.
• She learned to do the cancan for her dance class.
• The cancan originated in French music halls in the 1840s.
• The chorus line kicked their legs high during the cancan number.
• Tourists flocked to see the famous cancan at the Moulin Rouge.
• The cancan requires great flexibility and stamina from the performers.