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

• tin
• barrel
• 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

This may sound obvious, but don’t let the canister or bag fill up. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025

That prospect creates tremendous angst among activists who worry about the degradation of storage canisters over time. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025

When Border Patrol agents rolled tear gas canisters toward the feet of the protesters, prosecutors alleged Caravello ran up to one of the canisters and tried to kick it. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025

The canister compacts and stores the debris the robot picks up, a departure from most other self-emptying robot vacuums, which use disposable dust bags. —PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 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)