canonical

adjective

ca·​non·​i·​cal kə-ˈnä-ni-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or forming a canon

canonical scriptures

2

: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure : orthodox

His proposals were generally accepted as canonical.

3

: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canon

4

: reduced to the canonical form

a canonical matrix

canonically

kə-ˈnä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of canonical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is one of the canonical films of Alfred Hitchcock. —Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025

Marvel comics, meanwhile, established a canonical framework for the Steve Rogers–Sam Wilson handoff in 2012 and more generally provides a rich tableau of heroes switching names, costumes, even power sets. —Chris Lee, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025

Dropping Mando, Grogu, Ahsoka and Boba Fett into the canonical Galaxy’s Edge meant the four characters couldn’t die until 35 ABY — effectively tying the hands of future Star Wars storytellers. —Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 7 Feb. 2025

The most canonical theory of invisibility’s effect on behavior is perhaps the Ring of Gyges: the invisibility device mentioned in Plato’s Republic. —Katie Ebner-Landy, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see canon entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing canonical

• canonical form
• canonical hour

Rhymes for canonical

• ironical
• chronicle
• conical
• monocle

Kids Definition

canonical

adjective

ca·​non·​i·​cal kə-ˈnän-i-kəl 

1

: relating to or allowed by church law

2

: following a general rule or accepted procedure

canonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb