cannon

1 of 2

noun

can·​non ˈka-nən How to pronounce cannon (audio)
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

cannon

2 of 2

verb

cannoned; cannoning; cannons

intransitive verb

: to discharge cannon

Did you know?

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.

Examples of cannon in a Sentence

Verb The ball cannoned off the goalpost and into the net.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Red Bulls took the lead in the 72nd minute as Forsberg finally broke through with a right-footed cannon from outside the box that flew in past and outstretched Ivacic. Julian Cardillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025 The hole was caused by a cannon shell from a Japanese Zero, which also scored three other hits, before Zamperini's plane managed to fly back from Nauru. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
Verb
His equaliser against Leganes in March was a perfect example, with Bellingham sharpest to react when a shot cannoned off the crossbar. Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 22 May 2025 His 79th-minute header from Andy Robertson’s free kick beat goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma but cannoned off the upright and across the face of the goal with no Liverpool player able to follow up, and the Premier League leaders ended up losing the last-16 tie in a penalty shootout. Andy Jones, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cannon

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1567, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of cannon was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Cannon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannon. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cannon

noun
can·​non
ˈkan-ən
plural cannons or cannon
1
: a large heavy gun usually mounted on wheels
2
: an automatic gun of large caliber on an airplane

Medical Definition

cannon

noun
can·​non ˈkan-ən How to pronounce cannon (audio)
: the part of the leg in which the cannon bone is found

Biographical Definition

Cannon

biographical name

Can·​non ˈka-nən How to pronounce Cannon (audio)
Joseph Gurney 1836–1926 Uncle Joe American politician

More from Merriam-Webster on cannon

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