canon law

noun

: the usually codified law governing a church

Examples of canon law in a Sentence

a marriage valid under Catholic canon law

Recent Examples on the Web

Citing canon law and the rule book of the Augustinians, Father Prevost lists offenses that might lead someone to be dismissed from the order. —Ruth Graham, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Several bishops likened Pope Leo XIV to a fusion of Popes Francis and Benedict, noting his blend of intellectual rigor and pastoral warmth while highlighting his Augustinian background and canon law expertise. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025

That law, however, was abrogated in 1918, which means there is currently no canon law on the subject, per Edward Peters, a professor of canon law at Sacred Heart seminary in Detroit. —Felix Salmon, Axios, 22 Apr. 2025

Prevost attended Villanova University and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago before earning a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for canon law

• allantois
• baccarat
• chickasaw
• mackinaw
• overawe
• oversaw
• quebecois
• yojana
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw

Kids Definition

canon law

noun

: the body of religious laws that govern a church

Legal Definition

canon law

noun

: a body of religious law governing the conduct of members of a particular faith

especially : the codified church law of the Roman Catholic Church

Note: Common law has been influenced by canon law in the areas of marriage and inheritance. Roman Catholic canon law, like the civil law, has been modeled on ancient Roman law. The source for Roman Catholic canon law is the Code of Canon Law. The Rudder (Pedalion) is a source for Greek Orthodox canon law. Jewish canon law is contained in the Talmud.