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
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
See All Example Sentences for canonical
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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
See All Example Sentences for canonical
Cite this Entry
“Canonical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canonical. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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