The term canister originally referred to a basket of woven reeds but is now commonly used to refer to any container that is roughly cylindrical in shape. The abbreviated form can refers more specifically to a metal canister. They can be plain or ornate. They are used to store things, such as tea. They were used to store jewelry, make-up, and other personal items.

Ancient manuscripts were sometimes hidden in canisters. Time capsules are buried in canisters to be discovered when the time is right.