canister

noun

can·​is·​ter ˈka-nə-stər 

variants or less commonly cannister

1

: an often cylindrical container for holding a usually specified object or substance

a film canister

2

: encased shot for close-range artillery fire

3

: a perforated metal box for gas masks with material to adsorb, filter, or detoxify airborne poisons and irritants

Synonyms

• barrel
• can
• drum
• tin

Examples of canister in a Sentence

she put the store-bought cookies in a fancy canister to make them look homemade

Recent Examples on the Web

In the clip’s opening seconds, a young-looking customer in a black ski mask and blue hoodie twists the nozzle and inhales from a long, colorful canister of nitrous oxide. —Ben Dandridge-Lemco, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2024

The canister pops open to unspool water-resistant string lights (IPX4). —Simon Hill, WIRED, 27 Dec. 2024

Upon further inspection, the officer discovered 82 consumer grade fireworks, three knives, two replica firearms and one canister of pepper spray, according to the release. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024

Inside were 82 fireworks, three knives, two replica firearms and a canister of pepper spray. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin canistrum basket, from Greek kanastron wicker basket, from kanna reed — more at cane

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

canister

noun

can·​is·​ter

variants also cannister

ˈkan-ə-stər 

: a small box or can for holding a dry product (as coffee, flour, or sugar)