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 spending commitments also included more than $30 million for ammunition and more than $25 million on less-lethal weapons and crowd-control devices, including tear gas canisters, pepper sprays and Tasers, according to the report.
—
Daniella Silva, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Repurpose them as vases, planters, utensil holders, or simple storage canisters.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026
Before the days of memory cards, your analog camera would only take rolls of film that came in their own little plastic canisters.
—New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2026
California is one of five states that allow probation officers to routinely carry canisters on their person.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canister
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Daniella Silva, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Repurpose them as vases, planters, utensil holders, or simple storage canisters.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026
Before the days of memory cards, your analog camera would only take rolls of film that came in their own little plastic canisters.
—New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2026
California is one of five states that allow probation officers to routinely carry canisters on their person.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 15 Feb. 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 22 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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