canister

[kan-uh-ster]

noun

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of canister¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of canister¹

C17: from Latin canistrum basket woven from reeds, from Greek kanastron, from kanna reed, _cane ¹

Example Sentences

Within seconds they surround his car, at the same time pressing protesters back as they begin to lob tear gas canisters.

From Los Angeles Times

In white coverall suits and full-face respirators, hazmat workers went property by property sifting through the ashes to dredge up lead-acid batteries, tins of paint thinner and pesticide canisters.

From Los Angeles Times

Vera disagreed, writing in his order that “launching scorching-hot tear gas canisters directly at people… will undoubtedly chill the media’s efforts to cover these public events.”

From Los Angeles Times

They have been stored in canisters, and will be deposited on the surface of Mars awaiting a mission that could return them.

From BBC

Border Patrol agents with a deadly or dangerous weapon — a canister of their own tear gas.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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