English Reference
noun · adjective

canon

n. · adj.
US /ˈkænən/ UK /kˈænən/ canon UK spelling canon's, canon's

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Academic

    n.a collection of books, music, or art that people generally agree are the most important or high-quality.

    n.a body of writings or artistic works established as authentic or of the highest quality within a specific field.

    Simple

    Shakespeare's plays are a central part of the Western literary canon.

    In context

    Scholars have spent decades debating which marginalized voices should be integrated into the traditional academic canon of English literature.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced SlangInformal

    n.the official events and characters in a story world, like Star Wars or Marvel, that are considered 'real' by the creators.

    n.the body of work in a fictional universe that is considered official or authoritative by its creators and fanbase.

    Simple

    In the new movie, that character's death is now officially part of the canon.

    In context

    Fans were outraged when the studio decided that the expanded universe novels were no longer considered part of the official canon.

    fanfiction
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.a general rule or principle that people use to judge something.

    n.a general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged.

    Simple

    The canons of good taste suggest that you shouldn't wear neon to a funeral.

    In context

    The architect's work strictly adhered to the classical canons of proportion and symmetry established during the Renaissance.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency FormalTechnical Religion

    n.a rule or law made by a church.

    n.a regulation or dogma decreed by a church council or authority.

    Simple

    The priest explained the church canon regarding marriage and divorce.

    In context

    The council met to revise several points of canon law that had remained unchanged for centuries.

  5. 05 C2 Proficiency Technical Music

    n.a piece of music where different voices sing the same tune but start at different times.

    n.a contrapuntal musical composition in which a melody is imitated by one or more parts at fixed intervals.

    Simple

    The children sang a simple canon in three parts during the concert.

    In context

    The composer utilized a complex double canon to demonstrate his mastery of polyphonic structures.

  6. 06 C2 Proficiency Formal Religion

    n.a priest who works at a large church called a cathedral.

    n.a member of the clergy who belongs to a cathedral or collegiate church.

    Simple

    The canon led the procession into the cathedral for the morning service.

    In context

    As a canon of the cathedral, he was responsible for both liturgical duties and the administration of the church's historical archives.

  7. 07 C2 Proficiency British EnglishTechnical Cooking

    n.a long, lean piece of meat, usually lamb, that has been tied up.

    n.a cut of meat, typically the eye of the loin, filleted and rolled into a cylindrical shape.

    Simple

    The chef prepared a roasted canon of lamb served with seasonal vegetables.

    In context

    For the main course, the restaurant features a pan-seared canon of venison sourced from local estates.

  8. 08 C1 Advanced SlangInformal

    adj.describing something that is part of the official story or rules.

    adj.pertaining to or forming part of the official body of work or continuity; a clipping of 'canonical'.

    Simple

    Is that scene actually canon, or did a fan just make it up?

    In context

    The writers confirmed that the spin-off series is fully canon and will impact the plot of the main show.

    non canon

An aryanised Austro-German canon was favoured: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner and Wagner, while Jewish composers such as Mendelssohn, Mahler and Schoenberg were banned.

The Guardian· 2 Sept 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated