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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
she put the store-bought cookies in a fancy canister to make them look homemade
Recent Examples on the Web Hussein had entered the bank carrying a canister of gasoline, a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press. 
Greg Norman, Fox News, 11 Aug. 2022 Prosecutors previously alleged in an indictment that Mr. Tanios carried a canister of chemical spray in his backpack on Jan. 6, and that his co-defendant, Julian Khater, sprayed police officers. Alexa Corse, WSJ, 27 July 2022 Jacus continued along the spur road toward the smoldering tree, where the fire crew had recovered a Mossy Oak–branded camo backpack stuffed with a bright orange sweatshirt and logging gear, as well as a gas canister. Lauren Markham, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 Police officers in riot gear have fired tear gas at protesters, leading to the death of one protester who human rights groups say was hit in the head by a tear-gas canister. New York Times, 23 June 2022 Without warning, the suit alleges, Marks was struck in the right eye by a tear-gas canister fired by an officer. Randy Furst, Star Tribune, 21 Sep. 2020 This one-burner option from Coleman sits atop a propane canister, and gets the job done. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 20 May 2020 Facente said the warning did not come until the second canister of tear gas was launched. Lillian Boyd, The Arizona Republic, 26 June 2022 Stash a canister of grease-cutting cleaning wipes nearby, like Clorox Multi-Purpose Paper Towel Wipes, for quickly removing sticky messes from side tables and handles. Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 10 June 2022 See More
Greg Norman, Fox News, 11 Aug. 2022 Prosecutors previously alleged in an indictment that Mr. Tanios carried a canister of chemical spray in his backpack on Jan. 6, and that his co-defendant, Julian Khater, sprayed police officers. Alexa Corse, WSJ, 27 July 2022 Jacus continued along the spur road toward the smoldering tree, where the fire crew had recovered a Mossy Oak–branded camo backpack stuffed with a bright orange sweatshirt and logging gear, as well as a gas canister. Lauren Markham, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 Police officers in riot gear have fired tear gas at protesters, leading to the death of one protester who human rights groups say was hit in the head by a tear-gas canister. New York Times, 23 June 2022 Without warning, the suit alleges, Marks was struck in the right eye by a tear-gas canister fired by an officer. Randy Furst, Star Tribune, 21 Sep. 2020 This one-burner option from Coleman sits atop a propane canister, and gets the job done. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 20 May 2020 Facente said the warning did not come until the second canister of tear gas was launched. Lillian Boyd, The Arizona Republic, 26 June 2022 Stash a canister of grease-cutting cleaning wipes nearby, like Clorox Multi-Purpose Paper Towel Wipes, for quickly removing sticky messes from side tables and handles. Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 10 June 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
canister
noun
can·is·ter ˈka-nə-stər
: a small box or can for holding a dry product
canisters of flour
canister
noun
variants also cannister
as in tin
a metal container in the shape of a cylinder she put the store-bought cookies in a fancy canister to make them look homemade Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- tin
- bucket
- barrel
- drum
- pail
- can
- tin can
- cannikin