a mounted gun for firing heavy projectiles; a gun, howitzer, or mortar.
British Machinery. quill.
Armor. a cylindrical or semicylindrical piece of plate armor for the upper arm or forearm; a vambrace or rerebrace.
Also called canon bit. Also called cannon bit,. a round bit for a horse.
the part of a bit that is in the horse's mouth.
(on a bell) the metal loop by which a bell is hung.
Zoology.
the part of the leg in which the cannon bone is situated.
British. a carom in billiards.
Underworld Slang. a pickpocket.
to discharge cannon.
British. to make a carom in billiards.
Annie Jump 1863–1941, U.S. astronomer.
Joseph Gurney Uncle Joe, 1836–1926, U.S. politician and legislator.
an automatic aircraft gun of large calibre
history a heavy artillery piece consisting of a metal tube mounted on a carriage
a heavy tube or drum, esp one that can rotate freely on the shaft by which it is supported
the metal loop at the top of a bell, from which it is suspended
See cannon bone
billiards
a shot in which the cue ball is caused to contact one object ball after another
Usual US and Canadian word: carom. the points scored by this
a rebound or bouncing back, as of a ball off a wall
either of the two parts of a vambrace
to collide (with)
short for cannonade
(intr) billiards to make a cannon
First recorded in 1375–1425 (earlier in Anglo-Latin, Anglo-French ); late Middle English canon, from Middle French, from Italian cannone, equivalent to cann(a) “tube” (from Latin ) + -one augmentative suffix; see cane
A cannon is a large gun that fires heavy metal shells or other projectiles. Originally it was attached to wheels and pulled by men. More recently, cannon refers to the largest gun on a tank or the automatic guns on a plane. All cannons, however old they are, have basically the same shape — a long, thick tube. Not surprising, then, that the term comes from the Latin word canna, meaning "tube" or "reed." Do not confuse with the word canon, with one n, which is a term of classification, as in its most common usage, "the literary canon."
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
CAMBRIDGE, England—Every summer, students here line up in dozens of boats, wait for a cannon to fire, then pelt around the narrow bends of the River Cam trying to smash the crew in front.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
The Berlin police used water cannon to help residents of the capital cool off on Saturday and will repeat the operation on Sunday.
From Barron's ● Jun. 28, 2026
To test his theory, the team designed a series of experiments using an advanced head model fitted with pressure sensors before firing footballs at the model skull with "a big ball cannon".
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
The cannon fires once more, and 2029’s plebes are plebes no more.
From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2026
Ever since I came out of the cannon mostly intact, the other sailors look at me in awe.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
District Judge Aileen Cannon agreed, reiterating that “the allegedly infringed material — basic ideas, themes, metaphors, isolated words, and short phrases — is not protected expression and cannot be infringed.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
To collaborate with them, especially Willie, because I produced a record on him with Buddy Cannon… If you’d told me, one day I’d be doing that?
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
I guess they’re hoping to get Judge Aileen Cannon.
From Slate ● May 26, 2026
Luke Cannon, a trader on the decentralized exchange Hyperliquid, said he expected the deadline to be extended, or that things will continue in the current status quo.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 7, 2026
At last, just as Vilthuril was about to go on with the story, they heard hooves on the turf and the horseman appeared from the west, cantering easily along the track toward Cannon Heath Down.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
Trump stayed put, however, clapping and smiling until Rodri thrusted the trophy skyward and gold confetti shot from cannons behind them to officially start the celebration.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
According to the Associated Press, Berlin police used water cannons — normally used to disperse protesters — to cool down cheering crowds in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
They left behind more than 40 loaded cannons, provisions and “some of that scoundrel Common Sense man’s letters, which we can read at our leisure.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
In Berlin, police deployed two water cannons to spray mist onto people.
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
We are forbidden to give the Indians muskets or swords, but Captain Smith is giving them cannons?
From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone
Dimarco almost scored himself on 18 minutes but his free-kick cannoned back off the crossbar.
From Barron's ● Feb. 8, 2026
Ibrahima Konate made a complete hash of a pass inside his own half, allowing Ricardo Pepi to race clear for a shot that cannoned back off the post to Driouech, who gleefully slotted home.
From Barron's ● Nov. 26, 2025
Guehi's header cannoned back off the bar and Mateta was best positioned to nod home unmarked because he was standing by the goalkeeper rather than with a defender.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2025
They were close to breaking the deadlock when Cedric Kipre's unwitting effort off his outstretched left leg from a corner cannoned back off the left upright.
From BBC ● Dec. 2, 2023
And so he stumbled and nearly fell as she gasped and cannoned into Allun, standing still and almost invisible in the dimness.
From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda
However, Hanna Bennison soon reduced City's lead with a wonderful effort from distance, the ball cannoning off of the crossbar and into the net.
From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2024
Croatia should have scored more, with Perisic's shot from a tight angle cannoning back off the crossbar in what proved a vital moment.
From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2023
He cracked forehands from a sturdy crouch, his swing full and flowing, the ball cannoning down the sidewall to expire in the back corner, repetitious as a gif.
From The New Yorker ● Jan. 18, 2016
Cabaye, waiting on the edge of the area, thumped the ball back, his shot cannoning off the crossbar.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 30, 2014
The ladder fell sideways, cannoning into another one that had been set up beside it.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
