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

From 2009 to 2013, the European Space Agency’s Planck satellite mapped those patterns with extraordinary precision, producing what remains a canonical dataset for analyzing the CMB. —Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026

Despite the growth in the market seen over the last decade, prices for some canonical artists remain low relative to their stature and the quality of their work. —Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026

Yet there is nothing eternal or canonical or irreversible about this system. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026

Regardless, the influence of Amazing Stories’ founding in 1926 radiated throughout the genre’s history like the light through Bradbury’s grandparents’ window, with authors who had their debut in Amazing Stories running the canonical gamut from Asimov to Zelzany. —Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 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