canonical

adjective

ca·​non·​i·​cal kə-ˈnä-ni-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or forming a canon

canonical scriptures

2

: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure : orthodox

His proposals were generally accepted as canonical.

3

: of or relating to a clergyperson who is a canon

4

: reduced to the canonical form

a canonical matrix

canonically

kə-ˈnä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of canonical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This view had become something of a religion among tech elites, including Hunter-Torricke’s boss, who had recently recommended the canonical text on the matter, Steven Pinker’s The Better Angels of Our Nature, as part of his public book club. —Billy Perrigo, Time, 17 Feb. 2026

Rain Precipitation might be Wuthering Heights the novel’s most canonical liquid as Northern England is a place where basically every single person and living creature is vitamin D deficient. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026

Make a trip of it Afar’s four-day Milan itinerary offers a multifaceted way to see the city, from canonical sights to neighborhoods where design, food, and everyday life intersect. —Laura Itzkowitz, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026

His greatness is justly canonical. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see canon entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing canonical

• canonical form
• canonical hour

Rhymes for canonical

• ironical
• chronicle
• conical
• monocle

Kids Definition

canonical

adjective

ca·​non·​i·​cal kə-ˈnän-i-kəl 

1

: relating to or allowed by church law

2

: following a general rule or accepted procedure

canonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb