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

Kim is a man who has assassinated his half-brother and executed perceived opponents by firing squad — using an artillery cannon. — Andrew Malcolm, SFChronicle.com, "An inside look at the Trump-Kim summit," 21 June 2018 At the first Fourth of July celebrations, which took place in Philadelphia in 1777, revelers fired a cannon 13 times, once for each colony. — Caroline Simon, USA TODAY, "9 things you didn't know about the Fourth of July," 3 July 2018 What happens: Passengers fire pull-string cannons during big-screen digital carnival games. — Dewayne Bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Disney World: A look at Pixar in the parks," 25 June 2018 Whites then rolled a cannon into the street and fired three times in the black neighborhood, Mr. Gampfer says. — John Kiesewetter, Cincinnati.com, "Civil unrest woven into city's history," 8 June 2018 Pig iron could be poured right cannon and gun barrel molds, and Europe started pumping out weapons like never before. — Jonathan Schifman, Popular Mechanics, "The Entire History of Steel," 9 July 2018 But the arrival of Drag Battalion AF with glitter cannons has given us hope for tomorrow. — Don Sweeney, sacbee, "Letters from the 'front' on Twitter mock prediction of second Civil War on July 4," 3 July 2018 The celebration included gun and cannon salutes, music, drinking, a parade, fireworks, and dressing up ships in the harbor in red, white and blue. — Fernando Ramirez, Houston Chronicle, "How Americans have celebrated Fourth of July through the ages," 3 July 2018 Brown was chosen to lead an advance group, called Forlorn Hope because of their chance of survival, to storm the redoubt armed with only bayonets and fending off musket fire and cannons. — Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Our history: Revolutionary War patriots among city settlers," 3 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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 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

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.