canister
noun
can·is·ter
ˈka-nə-stər 
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
The United States crane ship USNS Gopher State transfers three missile canisters to the destroyer USS Farragut during a vertical launching system rearmament evolution off the coast of Virginia on July 17.
—
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
Protesters often display the canisters or rounds during demonstrations to journalists as evidence of police brutality and use of excessive force.
—Larry Madowo, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Caravello was attempting to dislodge a tear gas canister that was stuck underneath someone’s wheelchair, witnesses told KABC-TV, the ABC affiliate in Los Angeles.
—Olga R. Rodriguez, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
And if that wasn't enough, there’s a literal nitrous oxide canister tucked between the two rear titanium silencers.
—New Atlas, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for canister
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Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
Protesters often display the canisters or rounds during demonstrations to journalists as evidence of police brutality and use of excessive force.
—Larry Madowo, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Caravello was attempting to dislodge a tear gas canister that was stuck underneath someone’s wheelchair, witnesses told KABC-TV, the ABC affiliate in Los Angeles.
—Olga R. Rodriguez, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
And if that wasn't enough, there’s a literal nitrous oxide canister tucked between the two rear titanium silencers.
—New Atlas, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for canister
Cite this Entry
“Canister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canister. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
canister
noun
can·is·ter
variants
also cannister
: a small box or can for holding a dry product (as coffee, flour, or sugar)
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