canonical

adjective

ca·​non·​i·​cal kə-ˈnä-ni-kəl How to pronounce canonical (audio)
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 adverb

Examples of canonical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Auro Montanari) included it in his canonical book Patek Philippe Steel Watches, thus cementing this specific 1518 as one of the most important in the world. Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2025 The link between Copernicus and the tool mainly comes from the fact that it was found in Frombork, specifically in the canonical gardens where Copernicus spent much of his life. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 30 Aug. 2024 Up until this point, Galaxy’s Edge has been canonical in the Star Wars universe — which means the stories told in Black Spire Outpost were part of the official mythological history of the fictional saga. Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 7 Feb. 2025 First mentioned in documents in 1663, Vitale Barberis Canonico is truly canonical, the oldest fabric mill in Italy. Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for canonical 

Word History

Etymology

see canon entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of canonical was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near canonical

Cite this Entry

“Canonical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canonical. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

canonical

adjective
ca·​non·​i·​cal kə-ˈnän-i-kəl How to pronounce canonical (audio)
1
: relating to or allowed by church law
2
: following a general rule or accepted procedure
canonically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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