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
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
According to prosecutors, the teen was struck by a nitrous oxide canister.
—
Christina Hall, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
Turner Salter, 19, of Clinton Township, was approximately a quarter mile away from the site of the explosion when he was hit in the head by a falling canister and killed.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for canister 
Christina Hall, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
Turner Salter, 19, of Clinton Township, was approximately a quarter mile away from the site of the explosion when he was hit in the head by a falling canister and killed.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for canister
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canister.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near canister
Cite this Entry
“Canister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canister. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
canister
noun
can·is·ter
variants
also cannister
: a small box or can for holding a dry product (as coffee, flour, or sugar)
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