Canister
/ˈkæn.ɪ.stɚ/noun
A small container, usually with a lid, used for storing dry goods or other materials.
Did you know?Canister ultimately traces back to Greek kanastron, a basket or reed container, and entered English through Latin and French long before it became the modern metal tin.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
kanastron
“a basket or woven container”
Latin
Lat
canistrum
“a basket, especially for bread or offerings”
Old French
OF
canistre
“a basket or box”
Late Middle English
English
canistre
“a container or box”
Modern English
English
canister
“a small container, often cylindrical”