canister

[ kan-uh-ster ]

noun

1. a small box or jar, often one of a kitchen set, for holding tea, coffee, flour, and sugar.
2. Also called canister shot. case shot.
3. the part of a gas mask containing the neutralizing substances through which poisoned air is filtered.

canister

/ ˈkænɪstə /

noun

1. a container, usually made of metal, in which dry food, such as tea or coffee, is stored
2. formerly
   1. a type of shrapnel shell for firing from a cannon
   2. Also calledcanister shotcase shot the shot or shrapnel packed inside this

Word History and Origins

Origin of canister¹

1670–80; < Latin canistrum wicker basket < Greek kánastron, derivative of kánna reed ( cane ), with -astron, variant of -tron suffix of instrument (probably from verbal derivatives, as stégastron covering, from stegázein to cover)

Word History and Origins

Origin of canister¹

C17: from Latin canistrum basket woven from reeds, from Greek kanastron, from kanna reed, cane ¹

Example Sentences

On Tuesday, jurors heard that a fake device - in the form of three metal canisters taped together - was found on his desk after he failed to report for duty on 3 January 2023.

From BBC

At a school, there is a queue of people carrying empty canisters waiting to use a communal tap.

From BBC

For items like sugar, dried fruits and nuts, transferring them into airtight canisters will help keep pests at bay.

From Salon

Quintero hid for two hours in a closet, listening to gunshots and what sounded like bombs — possibly grenades or tear-gas canisters.

From Los Angeles Times

The man’s truck wouldn’t start, and they were sitting inside it when Kaiser returned, gas canister in hand.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bag
• bottle
• bowl
• box
• bucket
• can
• capsule
• carton
• crate
• dish
• jar
• jug
• kettle
• package
• packet
• pail
• pot
• pouch
• sack
• storage