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
To be clear, Charli isn’t the first canonical nonbinary character in Marvel Comics history.
—
Abby Monteil, Them, 14 Oct. 2024
Gorder helpfully clarified that, yes, his organization and the canonical Airbnb are markedly different entities.
—Steven Aquino, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Kennan’s message became the canonical text for those who tried to understand the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union.
—Odd Arne Westad, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
While Phillips' films were always intended to be a standalone project that exists in a distinctly different timeline than the DC Extended Universe, Folie à Deux's closing twist shines a whole new light on the origin story of this world's canonical Joker, who—spoiler alert—isn't Arthur.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for canonical 
Abby Monteil, Them, 14 Oct. 2024
Gorder helpfully clarified that, yes, his organization and the canonical Airbnb are markedly different entities.
—Steven Aquino, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Kennan’s message became the canonical text for those who tried to understand the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union.
—Odd Arne Westad, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
While Phillips' films were always intended to be a standalone project that exists in a distinctly different timeline than the DC Extended Universe, Folie à Deux's closing twist shines a whole new light on the origin story of this world's canonical Joker, who—spoiler alert—isn't Arthur.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for canonical
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canonical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near canonical
Cite this Entry
“Canonical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canonical. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
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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