Definition of CANISTER

canister

Plural: canisters

Noun

  • A small metal box or cylinder for holding dry goods.
  • a metallic cylinder packed with shot and used as ammunition in a firearm
  • metal container for storing dry foods such as tea or flour
  • A cylindrical or rectangular container usually of lightweight metal, plastic, or laminated pasteboard used for holding a dry product (as tea, crackers, flour, matches).
  • Any of various cylindrical metal receptacles usually with a removable close-fitting top.
  • A special short-range antipersonnel projectile consisting of a casing of light metal, loaded with preformed submissiles such as flechettes or steel balls. The casing is designed to open just beyond the muzzle of the weapon, dispersing the submissiles.
  • A projectile component containing colored or screening smoke or riot control agent composition.
  • A component of canister-type protective masks containing a mechanical filter and chemical filling to filter, neutralize and/or absorb toxic chemical, biological and radiological agents.
  • Part of a windmill that connects the sails to the windshaft.
  • A person's head.

Verb

  • To pack into a canister.

Examples

  • He imagined the Scrabble tiles rattling in a CANISTER, waiting to form a winning word.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English canustyr (“basket”), a borrowing from Latin canistrum. Doublet of canaster and knaster.
* (metal receptacle): Through influence of unrelated can.
* (projectile): Short for canister shot, so called for its casing.

Synonyms

canister shot, cannister, case shot, tin

Scrabble Score: 10

canister: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
canister: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
canister: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

canister: valid Words With Friends Word