canonical

American  

[kuh-non-i-kuhl] / kəˈnɒn ɪ kəl /

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.

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noun

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

canonical British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• canonically
  adverb
• supercanonical
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of canonical

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

Explanation

If something's canonical, it follows a principle or rule, usually in a religious or church-related situation. It is also used in mathematics, music and can refer to something reduced to its most basic form. The word canonical is from the root canon, with both evolving from the Latin cononicus, or "according to rule," a meaning applied to religion during the Middle Ages. However, the definition of "rules" also applies in other areas as well. In mathematics, the word is used to describe an equation reduced to its most basic form. In canonical music, a melody line is repeated at intervals throughout a piece. Perhaps the most familiar of these is Pachebel's "Canon in D."

Example Sentences

The construction board, a private canonical foundation, had intended to complete work this year.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

They added that a "canonical process" was under way to decide what action to take next and confirmed that Baillie had not exercised public ministry since he was arrested in November 2024.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Ideas such as string theory, loop quantum gravity, canonical quantum gravity, and asymptotically safe gravity all attempt to bridge the gap.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

Perhaps Mr. Pinsker grants Lincoln too little credit for inspiring voters with his soaring oratory; even the canonical speeches are analyzed here primarily for political messaging.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

As before, archaeologists became gun-shy about arguing that Indians arrived in the Americas before the canonical date.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann