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

For a fun spin on an espresso martini, the recipe below has a Mezcal base and even uses an iSi canister to create a nitro cold brew with an amazing texture. —Patrice J. Williams, Essence, 15 Mar. 2025

When the musician was found dead in his home in November 2024, he was discovered next to three large canisters of nitrous oxide, according to an autopsy report obtained by TMZ. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025

Three large canisters of nitrous oxide were found next to the body of former My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar in November, and he had been gnawed on by his dogs, a Tennessee coroner said. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025

Then troopers and sheriff's deputies, some on horseback, attacked, beating people with batons and launching tear gas canisters. —Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 9 Mar. 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)