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

• tin
• barrel
• bucket

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

The stove operates on standard 16-ounce propane canisters, features push-button igniters and simmer-friendly controls, and generates up to 22,000 BTUs of heat. —Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 8 July 2025

The decree also requires beach vendors to obtain licenses, something few have, and prohibits any items used to prepare food, including gas canisters, charcoal, wooden skewers and styrofoam coolers. —Dado Galdieri, New York Times, 6 July 2025

Hundreds of Kenyans were already on the streets early in the morning, chanting anti-government slogans as police hurled tear gas canisters at some of the crowds. —Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025

Large homes can benefit from a canister vacuum with their large capacities. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2025

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

Rhymes for canister

• banister

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)