canister

noun

can·​is·​ter ˈka-nə-stər How to pronounce canister (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Monday, police fired tear gas canisters at demonstrators to stop them from entering the capital. Mushtaq Yusufzai, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2024 Edison officials say more than 80 percent of the canisters at SONGS could be taken off-site now if a permanent or interim storage facility existed and 100 percent of canisters will be ready to be shipped by 2030. Rob Nikolewski, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024 Outside, Tim McCoy, 72, filled a supply of gas canisters. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024 Up front, a slide-out single-burner gas or induction cooker and bowl sink plumbed to fresh and waste water canisters in the lower cabinets fill out the kitchen. New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for canister 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of canister was in 1692

Dictionary Entries Near canister

Cite this Entry

“Canister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canister. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

canister

noun
can·​is·​ter
variants also cannister
: a small box or can for holding a dry product (as coffee, flour, or sugar)

More from Merriam-Webster on canister

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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