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

Fill found items, like vintage milk canisters and stoneware crocks, with colorful mums and line them along your entryway. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025

The concrete canisters the waste is stored in can withstand a locomotive hitting them at 20 mph. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025

Put a prescription label showing the child’s name on both the box and the canister itself. —Rhonda Conner-Warren, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025

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