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.
Then empty the vacuum canister into the trash and dispose of it. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 July 2025 According to the criminal complaint, investigators spotted Grigsby on video footage holding a black canister and walking up the Northwest Stairwell toward a line of police officers defending the area. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 Artillery Shells: Individual shells loaded into a canister that shoot out colorful stars and sparks when ignited. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025 The facility likely contained canisters of uranium hexafluoride gas that was released into the environment as a large gas cloud once it was hit, Caffrey said. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 June 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 25 Jul. 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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