canister

noun

can·​is·​ter ˈka-nə-stər How to pronounce canister (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 An additional 63 canisters of waste rest horizontally nearby, including 13 filled with material from the dismantlement project. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025 Large homes can benefit from a canister vacuum with their large capacities. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025 The lander will then grab the sample tubes using a spare robotic arm developed for Perseverance's mission, placing them in a canister aboard the MAV. Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for canister

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of canister was in 1692

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Canister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canister. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

canister

noun
can·​is·​ter
variants also cannister
: a small box or can for holding a dry product (as coffee, flour, or sugar)

More from Merriam-Webster on canister

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