cannon

noun can·non \ ˈka-nən \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of cannon

plural cannons or cannon

1 plural usually cannon

a : a large, heavy gun usually mounted on a carriage

b : a heavy-caliber automatic aircraft gun firing explosive shells

c : any device for propelling a substance or object at high speeds

an air cannon

a T-shirt cannon

— see also water cannon

2 or canon : the projecting part of a bell by which it is hung : ear

3 : the part of the leg in which the cannon bone is found

4 sports, informal : a very strong throwing arm

While Hershberger had a quick, accurate arm, Lombardi had a cannon.
—William Nack

a shortstop with a cannon arm

See cannon defined for English-language learners

See cannon defined for kids

Recent Examples of cannon from the Web

The Astros then turned a double play, completed by Carlos Correa's cannon-like throw, to narrowly escape the jam.

— hunter atkins, Houston Chronicle, "George Springer's RBIs help secure Astros' victory over A's," 9 May 2018
Bombs, shells, bullets, cannons, planes, machine guns: Stalingrad, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, Libya; English planes over Italy and Germany.

— david ball, Time, "A Jewish Writer Kept a Secret Diary During the Nazi Occupation of France. It Offers an Important Lesson About History," 2 May 2018
In South Central Los Angeles after the Rodney King trial in 1992, Halle Berry plays a single foster mother of eight who forms an unlikely alliance with her loose-cannon neighbor, played by Daniel Craig, to protect her kids.

— chris foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Avengers' assembles on movie screens all over town — but not all of them," 26 Apr. 2018
The Chrysanthemum Cocktail is something of an anomaly — albeit a beautiful anomaly — in the cocktail cannon.

— liza weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, "Welcome spring with the Chrysanthemum Cocktail," 17 Apr. 2018
Change to the bigger vortex cannon and repeat the steps.

— svenja lohner, Scientific American, "Create a Ring of Air!," 12 Apr. 2018
Early reports suggest that the north Londoners are drafting up potential successors to Gunnersaurus already, with one idea rumoured to be a lifesize cannon - in reference to the club's crest - with a face drawn on it.

— SI.com, "PHOTO: Arsenal Mascot Gunnersaurus Spotted Carrying Wenger Out Banner in Latest Protest," 1 Apr. 2018
Uniforms, Civil War letters and diaries, dozens of footlockers, Medals of Honor, cannons, photos, drums and Spanish-American War cavalry saddles.

— meg jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin's attic is moving — Wisconsin Historical Society and Wisconsin Veterans Museum move collections," 20 Apr. 2018
The parade ended and a booming cannon-like shot scattered every bird within two miles.

— dwight garner, New York Times, "The Palio di Siena: A Survivor’s Tale," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cannon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

What is the difference between cannon and canon?

Cannon and canon are occasionally confused by writers, but the two words have independent origins, and do not share a meaning. Cannon is most frequently found used in the sense of "a large gun," and can be traced to the Old Italian word cannone, which means "large tube." Canon, however, comes from the Greek word kanōn, meaning "rule." Although canon has a variety of meanings, it is most often found in the senses of "a rule or law of a church," "an accepted rule," or "a sanctioned or accepted group or body of related works." A loose cannon is "a dangerously uncontrollable person or thing." There are no loose canons.

Origin and Etymology of cannon

Middle English canon, from Anglo-French, from Old Italian cannone, literally, large tube, augmentative of canna reed, tube, from Latin, cane, reed — more at cane

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

automatic, carbine, cudgel, muzzle, rapier

cannon

verb

Definition of cannon

intransitive verb

: to discharge cannon

transitive verb

: cannonade

See cannon defined for English-language learners

Examples of cannon in a Sentence

The ball cannoned off the goalpost and into the net.

Recent Examples of cannon from the Web

Jesus had the chance to score from the spot in the second half but cannoned his effort off the inside of the post, with the rebound falling to his teammate Bernardo Silva to tap home.

— SI.com, "'I’m Good at Penalties': Goal-Hungry Ederson Volunteers for Man City Spot Kick Duty," 24 Apr. 2018
Umtiti celebrated Barca's second goal at the Camp Nou by pulling at his badge and pointing to it after his shot had cannoned in off the post and then Roma's Kostas Manolas.

— tom allnutt, chicagotribune.com, "Umtiti: grabbing of badge was to show 'love' for Barcelona," 5 Apr. 2018
After firing home Liverpool's opener at 35 minutes with a perfect shot that cannoned in off the base of the crossbar and left goalkeeper Alisson no chance, Salah merely raised his hands to shoulder height as his teammates engulfed him.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Salah among world's best after two brilliant Liverpool goals, classy celebrations," 24 Apr. 2018
Instead of taking the effort on himself, Suarez's quick return pass to his fellow South American on the edge of the area allowed the Argentine to dispatch his effort which cannoned back off the crossbar and allowed Branquiazuis to breath again.

— SI.com, "Barcelona 4-0 Deportivo La Coruna: Sublime Barca See Off Depor & Open Six-Point Lead in La Liga," 17 Dec. 2017
Board President Jim Patterson said village ordinance requires a 8-foot-tall fence in a commercial area, and that the board legally cannon approve a taller fence without approval from the zoning board of appeals.

— alexandra kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Glenview gives final approval to revised Culver's plan," 7 Sep. 2017
Must-sees on the property include the Royal 22e Régiment Museum, the Governor General of Canada’s official residence and the summer military ceremonies, including the Changing of the Guard and cannon firings.

— Smithsonian, "Learn More About Quebec’s History and Heritage.," 19 May 2017
When: Dates TBA Where: Alpine Village, 833 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance Tall Ships Festival The annual event features majestic tall ships along with live music, beer tasting, food and cannon battles.

— staff reports, Orange County Register, "2017 list of festivals, fairs and events in Southern California," 3 Jan. 2017
In the ruthless pecking order of the Islamic State, many of the others amounted to cannon fodder.

— alissa j. rubin, New York Times, "Uncovering the Links Between the Brussels and Paris Attackers," 8 Apr. 2016

First Known Use of cannon

1567

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Cannon

biographical name Can·non \ ˈka-nən \

Definition of Cannon

Joseph Gurney 1836–1926 Uncle Joe American politician

CANNON Defined for English Language Learners

cannon

noun

Definition of cannon for English Language Learners

: a large gun that shoots heavy metal or stone balls and that was once a common military weapon
: a large automatic gun that is shot from an aircraft

cannon

verb

Definition of cannon for English Language Learners

: to suddenly and forcefully hit or move into or against someone or something

CANNON Defined for Kids

cannon

noun can·non \ ˈka-nən \

Definition of cannon for Students

plural cannons or cannon

: a large heavy weapon consisting mostly of a metal tube that is mounted on wheels and is used for firing cannonballs

Medical Dictionary

cannon

noun can·non \ ˈkan-ən \

medical Definition of cannon

: the part of the leg in which the cannon bone is found

Illustration of cannon

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See words that rhyme with cannon Spanish Central: Translation of cannon Nglish: Translation of cannon for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cannon for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cannon

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cannon

Definition of cannon

Recent Examples of cannon from the Web

What is the difference between cannon and canon?

Origin and Etymology of cannon

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

cannon

Definition of cannon

Examples of cannon in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cannon from the Web

First Known Use of cannon

Other Military Terms

Cannon

Definition of Cannon

CANNON Defined for English Language Learners

cannon

Definition of cannon for English Language Learners

cannon

Definition of cannon for English Language Learners

CANNON Defined for Kids

cannon

Definition of cannon for Students

Medical Dictionary

cannon

medical Definition of cannon

Illustration of cannon

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