cannon

noun

can·non | \ ˈka-nən

plural cannons or cannon

Definition of cannon

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

cannon

verb

cannoned; cannoning; cannons

Definition of cannon (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to discharge cannon

transitive verb

: cannonade

Cannon

biographical name

Can·non | \ ˈka-nən

Definition of Cannon (Entry 3 of 3)

Joseph Gurney 1836–1926 Uncle Joe American politician

What is the difference between cannon and canon? More Example Sentences Learn More about cannon

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What is the difference between cannon and canon?

Noun

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.

Examples of cannon in a Sentence

Verb

The ball cannoned off the goalpost and into the net.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

What permits such massive huge infield range, too, is an absolute cannon of an arm. — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "Behind the rhythm of ‘DJ Matt Chapman’: A third base revolution for our eyes, ears," 3 Sep. 2019 Internally the jet is equipped with the GIAT 30-millimeter cannon with 125 rounds of ammunition. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Dassault Rafale Fighter Jet Demands Your Attention," 20 Aug. 2019 The pairing of his speed with Josh Allen’s cannon of an arm could lead to the occasional monster week, but knowing when to take advantage of those boom outings while avoiding bust weeks will be difficult to do with any confidence. — SI.com, "Fantasy Football 2019: Wide Receiver Rankings and Auction Prices," 31 July 2019 But overall, Adrift is a compelling addition to the cannon of survival movies, a genre that, until recently, has been overwhelmingly dominated by men. — refinery29.com, "Adrift Review: A Brutal Tale Of Female Survival," 31 May 2018 In the cannon of difficult roles, this is one of the most difficult. — Adam Rathe, Town & Country, "Lesley Manville Crosses the Pond with Long Day's Journey Into Night," 7 May 2018 The marks left on buildings by cannons from Napoleon’s army. — Los Angeles Times, "Spain’s ‘Game of Thrones’ sites drew them. Barcelona and towns beyond bewitched them," 24 Aug. 2019 Is this really all just an excuse to create a giant salmon cannon for fun and profit? — Aja Romano, Vox, "These unanswered questions are fueling speculation about the sex offender’s life and death.," 11 Aug. 2019 Have your ashes shot out of a cannon like Hunter S. Thompson? Pour the ashes in the ocean. — Mike Oliver | Moliver@al.com, al, "My Vinyl Countdown preparing or the last post -- I need another 30 months," 10 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Pavel Florin gets backing from Shane Warne A race to be fit Scans later showed no fracture to Smith's arm but the 92mph bouncer that cannoned into the Australian's neck turned out to have had a more lasting effect. — Ben Morse, CNN, "Steve Smith's concussion raises troubling memories for Australian cricket," 19 Aug. 2019 His attempt cannoned off the post; England took a sigh of relief but there was plenty of work still to do. — SI.com, "UEFA European Under-21 Championship Roundup: Croatia Slump Against Romania & England Lose Late On," 19 June 2019 Fragments can cannon about above the Earth’s atmosphere for centuries — striking other satellites, and adding their wreckage to the deadly debris fields. — Jamie Seidel, Fox News, "Russia accused of testing a 'killer satellite' in orbit," 16 Aug. 2018 His third and final goal had more than a slice of luck to it, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek's effort from outside of the box cannoned into the back of his right foot and looped into the net. — SI.com, "Fans Vote England's Harry Kane as Man of the Moment After Treble in Spectacular Win Over Panama," 25 June 2018 Chances were starting to dry up, but an Eriksen free kick found Jan Vertonghen - who's header cannoned off the post - and Kane couldn't sort his feet out quick enough to tuck into the empty net. — SI.com, "Tottenham Boosts Top-Four Standing, Beats Watford on Kane, Alli Goals," 30 Apr. 2018 In stoppage time Mateus Uribe fired a stinging shot from long range and Pickford leaped to keep it out with one outstretched hand, sending it wide of the goal and cannoning into the advertising boards. — James Ellingworth, The Seattle Times, "Pickford the hero as England’s penalty curse ends," 3 July 2018 Hakan Calhanoglu also came close to stealing the lead for Milan, blasting one from several yards out following a breakaway, but his shot unluckily cannoned off the crossbar. — SI.com, "Juventus 3-1 Milan: Cuadrado & Khedira Break Rossoneri Hearts With Late Stunners at the Allianz," 31 Mar. 2018 The succession of niggling fouls had caused Watford's first-half domination to fall by the wayside and Luka Milivojevic almost made them pay - the midfielder's free kick cannoning back off the upright with Karnezis beaten. — SI.com, "Tense Contest Between Watford, Crystal Palace Ends in Stalemate," 21 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.