canister

American  

[kan-uh-ster] / ˈkæn ə stər /

noun

• canisters
  plural

1. a small box or jar, often one of a kitchen set, for holding tea, coffee, flour, and sugar.

2. Also called canister shot. case shot.

3. the part of a gas mask containing the neutralizing substances through which poisoned air is filtered.

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canister British  

/ ˈkænɪstə /

noun

1. a container, usually made of metal, in which dry food, such as tea or coffee, is stored

2. 1. a type of shrapnel shell for firing from a cannon

   2. Also called: canister shot, case shot. the shot or shrapnel packed inside this

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• canisters
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of canister

1670–80; < Latin canistrum wicker basket < Greek kánastron, derivative of kánna reed ( see cane), with -astron, variant of -tron suffix of instrument (probably from verbal derivatives, as stégastron covering, from stegázein to cover)

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Explanation

A canister is a small container with a lid, often made of metal. You might keep a canister of sugar in your kitchen next to a canister of tea. Typically, a canister is round and has a fitted lid — while kitchen canisters are usually metal, the canisters that hold a roll of camera film are made of plastic. Another type of canister is a cylinder that's packed with shot or filled with pressurized gas and shot out of a weapon. In the 15th century, the word meant "basket," from the Latin canistrum, "wicker basket," with its Greek root kanystron, "basket made of reeds." The meaning of canister probably changed to "metal container" because of the word can.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

canister canisters

At one training company visited by AFP, humans holding what looked like PlayStation controllers repeated a single task -- folding clothes, moving blocks, spraying a canister -- as humanoid partners mirrored their actions.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

It was rescued and saved by Rick Flagan, a professor of chemical engineering and environmental science, who found it in a tin film canister in a Caltech closet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026

Five people were taken to hospital after a gas canister exploded during a charity event at a farm in Cheshire.

From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2026

One indelible image of Metro Surge was of Bovino, emerging from an SUV into a wintry melee, like a general stepping onto a battlefield, and launching a canister that released green smoke at protesters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 29, 2026

“We’re safe for now,” I say, sliding the water canister from my backpack.

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Large black canisters sat nearby on the road, the images showed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Last week, Peterborough Litter Wombles collected 82 canisters in a single day, one of the group's largest hauls to date.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

Prosecutors say Diaz was seen leaving and returning to the warehouse with two gas canisters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

Banned items include weapons, fireworks, flares, gas canisters, laser pens, camping chairs, umbrellas, flagpoles, air horns, megaphones, nitrous oxide, and excessive food and cigarettes security would think was more than "personal use".

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

The bowls on the counter, the canisters and stoneware jars loom round and heavy through the shadowy light.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

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Related Words

• bag
• bottle
• bowl
• box
• bucket
• can
• capsule
• carton
• crate
• dish
• jar
• jug
• kettle
• package
• packet
• pail
• pot
• pouch
• sack
• storage

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