Canon
/ˈkænən/
Definitions
3 meaningsA general rule, principle, or standard.
/ˈkænən/
The professor's lectures covered the entire canon of Shakespeare's plays.
💡 Simply: A set of rules or accepted works.
More Examples
That painting is considered part of the artistic canon.
How It's Used
"The literary canon includes works considered to be of lasting artistic significance."
"The Bible is considered the canon of scripture for many Christians."
A list of books accepted as holy scripture.
/ˈkænən/
The church's canon included both the Old and New Testaments.
💡 Simply: The officially accepted books of a religion's holy writings.
How It's Used
"The debate centered on which books should be included in the biblical canon."
A large-caliber gun.
/ˈkænən/
The battle involved the use of cannons and other heavy artillery.
💡 Simply: A big gun that shoots shells.
How It's Used
"The artillery unit deployed its canons to bombard the enemy fortifications."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
From Middle English *canon*, from Old French *canon*, from Late Latin *canon*, from Greek *kanōn* ('straight reed, rule, standard').
The word 'canon' has been used to describe rules and standards since the Middle Ages, reflecting its origins in the Greek word for 'rule'.
Memory tip
Think of 'canon' as a 'standard' or 'rule' that is widely accepted.
Word Origin
"straight reed, rule, standard"