canonical

[kuh-non-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. relating to, established by, or conforming to a canon or canons

2. included in the canon of the Bible.

3. authorized; recognized; accepted.

   canonical works.

4. Mathematics.,  (of an equation, coordinate, etc.) in simplest or standard form.

5. following the pattern of a musical canon.

6. Linguistics.,  (of a form or pattern) characteristic, general or basic.

   the canonical form of the past tense;

   a canonical syllable pattern.

noun

1. canonicals, garments prescribed by canon law for clergy when officiating.

canonical

/ kəˈnɒnɪkəl /

adjective

1. belonging to or included in a canon of sacred or other officially recognized writings

2. belonging to or in conformity with canon law

3. according to recognized law; accepted

4. music in the form of a canon

5. of or relating to a cathedral chapter

6. of or relating to a canon (clergyman)

Other Word Forms

• canonically adverb
• supercanonical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of canonical¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin canōnicālis, equivalent to canōnic(us) ( canon ² ) + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

Johnny Cash recorded his canonical version at 70, a cover now synonymous with a lion in winter starting down the grave.

From Los Angeles Times

On May 4, Star Wars Day, he mocked a White House post featuring an AI-generated image of Trump holding a red lightsaber, the canonical weapon of the franchise’s villains.

From Los Angeles Times

The diocese said it was Rome's decision to shelve the case without a full canonical trial and that it conducted a preliminary investigation.

From BBC

But I knew Joyce and I would have to have another rendezvous when I wasn’t in such a rush to check a canonical box.

From Los Angeles Times

The "hobbling" scene—she uses a sledgehammer to break Paul’s ankles—elevated her to canonical b***h status: a cunning, brutal and mercurial harridan who hides her malice behind a folksy façade.

From Salon