Canon — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈka-nən/ can·on

Meaning & Definition of Canon

Canon (noun)

  1. a regulation or dogma decreed by a church council
  2. a provision of canon law
  3. the most solemn and unvarying part of the Mass including the consecration of the bread and wine
  4. a clergyperson belonging to the chapter or the staff of a cathedral or collegiate church
  5. canon regular
  6. a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it
  7. something resembling a canyon

Canon (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church

    "members of the church must abide by its canons"

    similar: doctrine, dogma
    related: canon law, belief, conviction, tenet, credo, creed, ideology, philosophy, theology, axiom, precept, principle, symbol

  2. a record of a series of items (as names or titles) usually arranged according to some system

    "the canon of plays that are attributed to William Shakespeare"

    similar: catalog, checklist, list, listing, menu, register, registry, roll, roll call, roster, schedule, table
    related: agenda, bibliography, catalogue raisonné, compendium, compilation, directory, docket, enumeration, glossary, index, inventory, manifest, payroll, calendar, chronology, timetable

  3. a collection or system of rules of conduct

    "the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility is a lawyer's canon"

    similar: code, constitution, decalogue, law
    related: discipline, establishment, common law, legislation

Related Entry: Canyon (noun)

Canyon is a different word from Canon. The synonyms below are for canyon, not for canon.

  1. a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage

    "as the scouts made their way through the canyon, they marveled at the sheer walls of rock on both sides"

    similar: col, couloir, defile, flume, gap, gill (British), gorge, gulch, gulf, kloof (South African), linn (chiefly Scottish), notch, pass, ravine, saddle
    related: abyss, chasm, cirque, cleft, crevasse, crevice, cwm (chiefly British), fissure, combe (British), dale, dell, glen, hollow, shut-in, vale, valley, basin, floodplain, kettle, arroyo, barranca, coulee, draw, gully, gutter, nullah, trench, trough, wadi, wash (West)

Related Entry: Canon law (noun)

Canon law is a different word from Canon. The synonyms below are for canon law, not for canon.

  1. as in belief, principle

    similar: credo, creed, ideology, philosophy, theology, belief, conviction, tenet, canon, doctrine, dogma, axiom, precept, principle, symbol

Related Entry: Canon laws (noun)

Canon laws is a different word from Canon. The synonyms below are for canon laws, not for canon.

  1. as in beliefs, principles

    similar: credos, creeds, ideologies, philosophies, theologies, beliefs, convictions, tenets, canons, doctrines, dogmas, axioms, precepts, principles, symbols

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Canon

The most common words with a similar meaning to Canon:

doctrine, dogma, catalog, checklist, list, listing, menu, register, registry, roll, roll call, roster, schedule, table, code, constitution, decalogue, law

Related Words for Canon

canon law, belief, conviction, tenet, credo, creed, ideology, philosophy, theology, axiom, precept, principle, symbol, agenda, bibliography, catalogue raisonné, compendium, compilation, directory, docket, enumeration, glossary, index, inventory, manifest, payroll, calendar, chronology, timetable, discipline

Origin & Etymology of Canon

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Latin, ruler, rule, model, standard, from Greek kanōn

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Canon

canon law, canon lawyer, canon regular

Frequently Asked Questions about Canon

What does "Canon" mean?

"Canon" means a regulation or dogma decreed by a church council. As a noun, it is defined as: a regulation or dogma decreed by a church council. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Canon"?

Other words for "Canon" include doctrine, dogma, catalog, checklist, list, listing, menu and register. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Canon" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Canon"?

There are 51 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Canon". Common alternatives include doctrine, dogma, catalog, checklist, list, listing, menu, register, registry and roll.

How do you use "Canon" in a sentence?

Examples of "Canon" in a sentence: "members of the church must abide by its canons"; "the canon of plays that are attributed to William Shakespeare"; "the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility is a lawyer's canon".

Is "Canon" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Canon" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Canon"?

"Canon" is pronounced /ˈka-nən/ and divided into syllables as can·on.

What is the origin of the word "Canon"?

"Canon" comes from Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Latin, ruler, rule, model, standard, from Greek kanōn. First known use: before 12th century.

What is another word for "Canon" meaning "a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church"?

When "Canon" (noun) means a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church, synonyms include doctrine and dogma.