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.
At the site, investigators found a screwdriver, saws, the blowtorch and three gas canisters used to power the blowtorch, according to the prosecutor’s office. Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025 It's powered by standard butane, propane and butane/propane mix gas canisters, and Fire Maple recommends the butane/propane mix for the best performance in cold weather. New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025 The size of these canisters, with an inner diameter of just 220 millimeters, is designed to maintain sub-criticality. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025 Southern California Edison officials say more than 80% of the canisters could be taken off-site now if a permanent or interim storage facility existed and 100% of canisters will be ready to be shipped by 2030. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Canister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canister. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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

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