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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• canisters
  plural

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)

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

The kids, meanwhile, took selfies, while one appeared to be holding a red canister.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

"Officers swiftly attended the scene and found that a gas canister on the site had ignited and subsequently exploded," the spokesperson said.

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

“Third warning. Gas, gas, gas,” Bovino says, then tossing the canister and pushing people away from the intersection.

From Salon ● Jan. 22, 2026

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

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

Above ground, the spent nuclear fuel will be encapsulated in highly corrosion-resistent copper canisters.

From Barron's ● Jun. 1, 2026

Some dusted off old camping stoves and refilled oil canisters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

No injuries were reported, but several explosions - due to gas canisters on board the ambulances - caused windows of nearby buildings to shatter, while some residents were evacuated.

From BBC ● Mar. 26, 2026

I stare into the bright glare, train my eyes over the glowing canisters, and then notice in the reflection a shelf behind me with the sign HALF-OFF FIREWORKS.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Related Words

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