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

• barrel
• can
• drum
• tin

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 encounter spirals further as Ye questions whether Myers’ last name is Jewish, the elevator appears to get stuck, and the hip-hop star takes a hit from a canister of nitrous oxide. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 18 May 2025

Manhattan Village Administrator Jeff Wold said officers were concerned seeing nitrous oxide cartridges or canisters in cars during traffic stops, including teenaged drivers. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025

Add the grapefruit and sugar to the canister of a blender. —Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 6 May 2025

It was later determined that fireworks and gas canisters ignited the blaze. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025

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

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)