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Definitions

canister

[kan-uh-ster] / ˈkæn ə stər /
NOUN
bin
Synonyms
STRONG
basket box carton case crate receptacle
NOUN
bucket
Synonyms
STRONGEST
can cask kettle pail pot
STRONG
brazier hod scuttle vat
NOUN
can
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bottle bucket jar package
STRONG
aluminum cannikin gunboat receptacle tin vessel
WEAK
gutbucket pop top
NOUN
case
Synonyms
STRONG
bag baggage basket bin box cabinet caddy caisson capsule carton cartridge casing casket chamber chassis chest coffer cover covering crate crating crib drawer envelope folder grip holder integument jacket receptacle scabbard sheath shell suitcase trunk wallet wrapper wrapping
NOUN
container
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bag bottle bowl box bucket can capsule carton crate dish jar jug kettle package packet pail pot pouch sack storage tank tub utensil vase vessel vial
STRONG
alembic beaker bin bunker caisson canteen carafe cask casket cauldron chamber chest churn cistern cradle crock ewer firkin flask hamper hod hopper hutch jeroboam magnum pit pod poke pottery purse receptacle reliquary repository sac scuttle stein vat
WEAK
humidor
NOUN
pail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
container jug pot
STRONG
receptacle vessel
NOUN
pot
Synonyms
STRONGEST
basin bowl bucket can cup jar jug kettle mug pan saucepan urn vessel
STRONG
crock crucible pitcher receptacle tankard

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Elizabeth, 38, from Leven, spotted the prosthesis, which she first thought was a gas canister, on one of her usual walks from Hornsea.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

In the confrontation that followed, one of the agents tossed a tear-gas canister, which an employee kicked under their vehicle, enveloping it with noxious fumes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

Images released by Taiwan's Central News Agency show a canister on the ground at the Main Station, with officers examining potential evidence at the scene.

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

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 • Aug. 18, 2025

I yell, jumping, knocking into a Village Voice canister.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.