noun
canister
KA-nihst
Canister (noun) means a small container, typically metal or plastic, used to store dry goods like tea, flour, or film. Example: “She kept the flour in an airtight canister.”
noun
1
A small container, typically metal or plastic, used to store dry goods like tea, flour, or film.
"She kept the flour in an airtight canister."
2
A cylindrical container used in weapons, such as a smoke or tear gas canister.
"Police fired tear gas canisters into the crowd."
How to use canister
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small storage container, or a metal casing used to hold gas, smoke, or ammunition.
Common pairings
tea canister
gas canister
smoke canister
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Word forms
- Plural
- canisters
- Third person singular
- canisters
- Past tense
- canistered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She kept the flour in an airtight _____.
Etymology
From Latin canistrum, a woven basket, borrowed into Middle English as canustyr.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for canister
See all rhymes for canister →Frequently asked questions
What does “canister” mean?
The word “canister” means a small container, typically metal or plastic, used to store dry goods like tea, flour, or film. In plain terms, a small storage container, or a metal casing used to hold gas, smoke, or ammunition.
How do you pronounce “canister”?
“Canister” is pronounced KA-nihst (/ˈkænɪstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “canister” in a sentence?
Here is “canister” used in a sentence: “She kept the flour in an airtight canister.”
What part of speech is “canister”?
“Canister” is a noun.
Where does the word “canister” come from?
The word “canister” comes from Latin. From Latin canistrum, a woven basket, borrowed into Middle English as canustyr.
How many meanings does “canister” have?
“Canister” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small container, typically metal or plastic, used to store dry goods like tea, flour, or film.
