canonical

[kuh-non-i-kuh l]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR canonical ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective Also ca·non·ic.

pertaining to, established by, or conforming to a canon or canons.

included in the canon of the Bible.

authorized; recognized; accepted: canonical works.

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

following the pattern of a musical canon.

Linguistics. (of a form or pattern) characteristic, general or basic: the canonical form of the past tense; a canonical syllable pattern.

noun

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

Origin of canonical

1150–1200; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Medieval Latin canōnicālis, equivalent to canōnic(us) (see canon²) + -ālis -al¹

Related formsca·non·i·cal·ly, adverbsu·per·ca·non·i·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for canonical

approved, authoritative, authorized, lawful, legal, official, orthodox, received, sanctioned, sound, statutory

Examples from the Web for canonical

Contemporary Examples of canonical

“This is not a judgment of guilt, nor is it a suspension of any other canonical penalty,” Canary wrote.
Chicago Priests Raped and Pillaged for 50 Years
Barbie Latza Nadeau
November 7, 2014
We can see evidence of its presence even in the communities of the authors who produced our canonical Gospels.
Do We Know if There Was Really An Empty Tomb?
Bart D. Ehrman
April 19, 2014
This Macbeth—electrifying, rich, and strange—exists as an irresistible complement to canonical stagings.
Madbeth: Alan Cumming Plays Almost Every Role in “Macbeth”  
Liesl Schillinger
April 23, 2013
I piped up my objection, but it was the canonical term and there was no chance I would succeed in changing it.
A Jewish American In Paris
Euny Hong
January 15, 2013
So if I fail to mention some novel you regard as canonical here, just leave a comment.
The Best Stoner Novels
Sam Munson
April 20, 2010

Historical Examples of canonical

It will be a canonical marriage, but it will take some little time to arrange.
The Christian
Hall Caine
He is a professor of canonical law and slated for a German bishopric.
Secret Memoirs: The Story of Louise, Crown Princess
Henry W. Fischer
The first thing to be done was to translate the canonical books.
Chips From A German Workshop - Volume I
Friedrich Max Mller
The ideal parson, that is, should be a squire in canonical dress.
The English Utilitarians, Volume I.
Leslie Stephen
Is any light thrown by it on the authenticity of our canonical books?
Studies of Christianity
James Martineau

British Dictionary definitions for canonical

canonical

canonic

adjective

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

belonging to or in conformity with canon law

according to recognized law; accepted

music in the form of a canon

of or relating to a cathedral chapter

of or relating to a canon (clergyman)

Derived Formscanonically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for canonical

adj.

early 15c., from Medieval Latin canonicalis, from Late Latin canonicus "according to rule," in Church Latin, "pertaining to the canon" (see canon (n.2)). Earlier was canonial (early 13c.).