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 officer in the black beanie appears to shake a pepper spray canister toward protesters.
—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
This competition principle was crucial for engineers building canisters that had to simultaneously filter toxic gases mixed with normal air.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
Others stand guard between them and a screaming crowd, before the officers set off tear gas canisters and withdraw.
—Michael Biesecker, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Video captured by MySA shows a chemical agent canister landing near protesters as chants echoed outside the facility.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canister
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Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
This competition principle was crucial for engineers building canisters that had to simultaneously filter toxic gases mixed with normal air.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
Others stand guard between them and a screaming crowd, before the officers set off tear gas canisters and withdraw.
—Michael Biesecker, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Video captured by MySA shows a chemical agent canister landing near protesters as chants echoed outside the facility.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 28 Jan. 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 1 Feb. 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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