canon law

noun

1. the body of codified ecclesiastical law, especially of the Roman Catholic Church as promulgated in ecclesiastical councils and by the pope.

canon law

noun

1. the law governing the affairs of a Christian Church, esp the law created or recognized by papal authority in the Roman Catholic Church See Corpus Juris Canonici Codex Juris Canonici

Other Word Forms

• canon lawyer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of canon law¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Example Sentences

After completing studies in theology in Chicago and in canon law in Rome, the Catholic Church sent him to Peru for the first time.

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"It's the abuse being celebrated, in a way," she told me, "Because the cover-ups are still there, they're shielded behind the Vatican walls and their canon laws."

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It means canon law students have no case law to study or cite.

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It means canon law students have no case law to study or cite.

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Catholic canon law says the church “promotes the true and authentic veneration” of saints because of their pious examples.

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