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

The jury heard from the prosecutor that doorbell footage from the night of the fire had showed Mr Sunderland, of Calton Street in Keighley, carrying a canister containing seven litres of petrol.

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The mix is poured into canisters the size of soup cans to create boosters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some towns were still burning as the sun rose—oil tanks and gas canisters broken open by the force of the water fueled the flames.

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It’s kept in cylindrical canisters on the factory floor.

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The police fired back with canisters of tear gas.

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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