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 of canister

• barrel
• tin
• drum
• 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

Any gases the probe encounters are vacuumed in and collected, then sealed in a canister. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

Los Angeles police threw tear gas into a home in Compton to try to force six members of the Symbionese Liberation Army to come out, but the canisters started a fire. —USA Today, 6 May 2026

Changing out original packaging for canisters is an easy swap that will instantly make your countertops and pantry look more put together. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 5 May 2026

Coffey did not see which deputy sprayed the canister. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1711, 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)