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
Examples of canonical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
In game theory, there are two types of canonical games.
—Vineer Bhansali, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Crouch used a canonical children’s fantasy movie as allegory for the the legal hurdles the district faced in relation to the proposal to split.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonical
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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
In game theory, there are two types of canonical games.
—Vineer Bhansali, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Crouch used a canonical children’s fantasy movie as allegory for the the legal hurdles the district faced in relation to the proposal to split.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonical
Cite this Entry
“Canonical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canonical. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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