canonical

adjective

ca·​non·​i·​cal kə-ˈnä-ni-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or forming a canon

canonical scriptures

2

: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure : orthodox

His proposals were generally accepted as canonical.

3

: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canon

4

: reduced to the canonical form

a canonical matrix

canonically

kə-ˈnä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of canonical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Vatican’s dicastery for the doctrine of the faith ultimately shelved the case, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed with a canonical trial against Gonzales. —Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025

That tension between wanting commercial success and also achieving canonical greatness is something that all artists feel in all media and all art forms. —Addie Morfoot, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025

However, here, too, Pope Francis streamlined procedures, urging the cardinals to advance the start of the conclave if all the electors are already in the Vatican before the canonical 15 days. —Paolo Armelli, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025

Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter VI, the next installment in his canonical series, will arrive on June 6. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see canon entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing canonical

• canonical form
• canonical hour

Rhymes for canonical

• ironical
• chronicle
• conical
• monocle

Kids Definition

canonical

adjective

ca·​non·​i·​cal kə-ˈnän-i-kəl 

1

: relating to or allowed by church law

2

: following a general rule or accepted procedure

canonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb