Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

canon

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of canon

1 a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church

  • members of the church must abide by its canons
Synonyms of canon

doctrine, dogma
Words Related to canon

canon law

belief, conviction, tenet

credo, creed, ideology (also idealogy), philosophy, theology

axiom, precept, principle

symbol

2 a record of a series of items (as names or titles) usually arranged according to some system

  • the canon of plays that are attributed to William Shakespeare
Synonyms of canon

catalog (or catalogue), checklist, list, listing, menu, register, registry, roll, roll call, roster, schedule, table
Words Related to canon

agenda, bibliography, catalogue raisonné, compendium, compilation, directory, docket, enumeration, glossary, index, inventory, manifest, payroll

calendar, chronology, timetable

3 a collection or system of rules of conduct

  • the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility is a lawyer's canon
Synonyms of canon

code, constitution, decalogue, law
Words Related to canon

discipline, establishment

common law, legislation

Synonym Discussion of canon

law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance, canon mean a principle governing action or procedure. law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.
    • obey the law
rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.
    • the rules of the game
regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.
    • regulations affecting nuclear power plants
precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.
    • the precepts of effective writing
statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.
    • a statute requiring the use of seat belts
ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.
    • a city ordinance
canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.
    • the canons of good taste

Learn More about canon

  1. See words that rhyme with canon Dictionary: Definition of 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).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games