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 clergyperson 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

Plus, fun canonical mashups like 2013's Austenland. —Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025

The biggest connection between the canonical story and this revisionist take is the revelation of plot details pertaining to the tornado that lifted Dorothy’s home out of Kansas and dropped it down in Munchkinland. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025

The book is apocryphal, a non-canonical text that deals with Jesus’ adolescence, something not found in the Bible. —Barry Levitt, Time, 14 Nov. 2025

Picking up from here will be a huge challenge; without defining a canonical golden path, whatever comes next will be like creating parallel seasons of TV as prospective sequels. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 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