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
While a few crumbs might not take much power to remove, an entire canister’s worth is a different story, and the vacuum handled it with ease.
—
Shea Simmons, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
While technically not a standard upright style, the bagged canister vacuum is not bulky.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2025
For example, a lawsuit currently alleges that canisters of Galaxy Gas were sold in smoke shops, promoting their use for inhalation rather than cooking.
—Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
This set of four canisters and lids stacks easily, and each one is ideal for storing everything from pantry staples like flour and rice to candy, cookies and more.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canister
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Shea Simmons, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
While technically not a standard upright style, the bagged canister vacuum is not bulky.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2025
For example, a lawsuit currently alleges that canisters of Galaxy Gas were sold in smoke shops, promoting their use for inhalation rather than cooking.
—Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
This set of four canisters and lids stacks easily, and each one is ideal for storing everything from pantry staples like flour and rice to candy, cookies and more.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 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 18 Apr. 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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