1. a destructive disease that affects plants, especially trees
2. an ulcerous sore in the mouth
Usage: medical
3. something that spreads and causes harm or corruption
Usage: figurative

1. to become infected with canker; to decay or become corrupt

Examples

• The apple trees were affected by canker and had to be treated.
• She developed a painful canker on her tongue.
• Corruption became a canker that spread throughout the organization.
• The wood began to canker after years of moisture exposure.
• The disease can canker the bark of young trees.
• Jealousy cankered their friendship over time.