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

The investigation by Moriarty's office includes the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as allegations involving then-Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, who was captured on camera throwing tear gas canisters into a Minneapolis park. —Esme Murphy, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2026

Safely retrieving these uranium canisters—which likely take the form of dozens of 25- to 50-pound containers filled with uranium hexafluoride gas under pressure—would be highly challenging under wartime conditions. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026

Some homeowners line the vacuum canister with a disposable bag or stocking to make cleanup easier. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026

There are multiple formats but the type used in most consumer cameras is 35 mm, which comes in little canisters. —ABC News, 11 Mar. 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)