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. 1. a type of shrapnel shell for firing from a cannon

   2. Also called: canister shot.  case 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

Border Patrol agents with a deadly or dangerous weapon — a canister of their own tear gas.

From Los Angeles Times

Three men who helped import 91 million canisters of laughing gas into the UK through a series of bogus catering firms have been jailed.

From BBC

Exactly 55 years ago, Salazar was killed in an East Los Angeles bar by a tear gas canister launched by an L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Around midday on Saturday, agents in three or four black SUVs and a white van arrived at the Euclid Car Wash, deploying what appeared to be a smoke canister before detaining one person.

From Los Angeles Times

The van is cluttered with sleeping bags, gas canisters, and a portable charger - that's all he needs to be content with his life.

From BBC

Related Words

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