Definition of canon
1a : a regulation or dogma decreed by a church councilb : a provision of canon law
2 [Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin, from Latin, model] : the most solemn and unvarying part of the Mass including the consecration of the bread and wine
3 [Middle English, from Late Latin, from Latin, standard] a : an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scriptureb : the authentic works of a writer the Chaucer canonc : a sanctioned or accepted group or body of related works the canon of great literature
4a : an accepted principle or ruleb : a criterion or standard of judgment the canons of good tastec : a body of principles, rules, standards, or norms according to newspaper canon … a big story calls for a lot of copy — A. J. Liebling
5 [Late Greek kanōn, from Greek, model] : a contrapuntal musical composition in which each successively entering voice presents the initial theme usually transformed in a strictly consistent way
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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 canon
Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Latin, ruler, rule, model, standard, from Greek kanōn
First Known Use: before 12th century
Synonym Discussion of canon
Other Christian Religious Terms
canon
Definition of canon
1 : a clergyman belonging to the chapter or the staff of a cathedral or collegiate church
2 : canon regular
Origin and Etymology of canon
Middle English canoun, from Anglo-French *canoun, chanoun, from Late Latin canonicus one living under a rule, from Latin, according to rule, from Greek kanonikos, from kanōn
First Known Use: 13th century
cañon
less common spelling of canyon
1 : a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it
2 : something resembling a canyon the city's concrete canyons
CANON Defined for Kids
canon
playDefinition of canon for Students
1 : a rule or law of a church
2 : an accepted rule He follows the canons of good taste.
Law Dictionary
canon
playLegal Definition of canon
1a : a regulation or doctrine decreed by a church council b : a provision of canon law
2a : an accepted principle or rule canons of descent b : a body of principles, rules, standards, or norms
Origin and Etymology of canon
Greek kanōn rod, measuring line, rule
Learn More about canon
-
See words that rhyme with canon Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for canon Spanish Central: Translation of canon Nglish: Translation of canon for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of canon for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canon
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up canon? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!