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
Half-face respirators — often gray rubber with pink canisters — offer different filters for different gases, but none can filter all of the concerning gases in wildfire smoke.
—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
There was a phone book, camera film canisters, metal pins, the tattered remains of a baseball cap and an orange t-shirt with the outline of a giant thumbs up.
—
Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2026
Weighing in at 16 pounds, this canister cleaner is heavier than your average robot and stick vacuum.
—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
25 June 2026
After a few more bars, Stewart turns his back to the crowd and several aides wheel out an oxygen canister.
—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for canister
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Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
There was a phone book, camera film canisters, metal pins, the tattered remains of a baseball cap and an orange t-shirt with the outline of a giant thumbs up.
—
Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2026
Weighing in at 16 pounds, this canister cleaner is heavier than your average robot and stick vacuum.
—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
25 June 2026
After a few more bars, Stewart turns his back to the crowd and several aides wheel out an oxygen canister.
—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for canister
Cite this Entry
“Canister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canister. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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