cannon

noun can·non \ ˈka-nən \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

Examples: cannon in a Sentence

Editor's Note: What is the difference between cannon and canon?

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

Even fans who never got to see Wynn play in person knew about that home run, as the seat 500-feet from home plate was marked with the image of a cannon to commemorate the blast.

— matt young, Houston Chronicle, "Look back at Jimmy Wynn's Astros' career on anniversary of his big league debut," 10 July 2018
Kids can play with sound waves to see how musical instruments work, shoot an air cannon and explore magnetism by building with magnets.

— amy schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Science CITY opens at Betty Brinn Children's Museum," 5 July 2018
There are three things fashion people love: eccentrics, glamour, and tragicomedy – that perverse play of humor and sadness so loved in the British (and camp) comedy cannon that we Americans can't get enough of.

— refinery29.com, "Why Fashion People Love Cult Film Grey Gardens," 3 July 2018
At the close, cannons filled the arena with white confetti.

— selma fonseca, Billboard, "Pitbull, Carrie Underwood, Tiesto Perform at Hard Rock Atlantic City Opening," 3 July 2018
Sure, overusing my Catapult’s twin particle cannons will cause its insides to melt.

— steven strom, Ars Technica, "BattleTech is a more tactical, punishing view of mech battling," 3 May 2018
The 22-year-old striker looked to beat Courtois at his near post but saw his powerful effort cannon off the post.

— tom roddy, Newsweek, "Chelsea Return to Best Ahead of Barcelona as Palace Woes Continue," 10 Mar. 2018
From atop a makeshift fort high above the Hudson River, a young woman aimed a cannon at a mass of Hession soldiers swarming up the steep, rocky slopes and fired.

— cristina corbin, Fox News, "Where is Margaret Corbin? Hunt on for Revolutionary War hero's grave," 5 July 2018
An aerial shell such as those used in large public displays of patriotism looks a lot like a cardboard cannon ball or a giant firecracker.

— kevin davenport, idahostatesman, "O say can you see? The science behind the booms and blooms of Independence Day fireworks," 3 July 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

cannoned; cannoning; cannons

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

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
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