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

Her web history included searches on whether COVID could cause dizziness or nosebleeds, how long do the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy last, and purchasing Boost Oxygen canisters on Feb. 11. —Sharareh Drury, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025

For example, a lawsuit currently alleges that canisters of Galaxy Gas were sold in smoke shops, promoting their use for inhalation rather than cooking. —Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025

Nonna Zoraida points to the bay leaf canister on the wall above her head. —Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Mar. 2025

Despite Saturday’s campfire ban, people in Great Smoky Mountains National Park picnic areas can still used cook stoves with compressed gas canisters and gas grills that feature an on/off switch, according to a park news release. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 22 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)