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
As the Tony Awards approach, the 2023-2024 Broadway season seems to lack a canonical classic among its crop of fresh musicals.
—
Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 16 June 2024
What are the odds that a sequel almost a decade later and by a mostly new creative team could recapture its canonical predecessor’s magic and humanity?
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 June 2024
The essay’s emergence as the canonical case for Trumpism marked a turning point: the moment when the conservative movement gave into its worst impulses, willing to embrace the most radical forms of politics in the name of stopping social change.
—Vox Staff, Vox, 3 June 2024
Distinguishing between a canonical author and the computer involved less guesswork.
—Laurent Dubreuil, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for canonical 
Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 16 June 2024
What are the odds that a sequel almost a decade later and by a mostly new creative team could recapture its canonical predecessor’s magic and humanity?
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 June 2024
The essay’s emergence as the canonical case for Trumpism marked a turning point: the moment when the conservative movement gave into its worst impulses, willing to embrace the most radical forms of politics in the name of stopping social change.
—Vox Staff, Vox, 3 June 2024
Distinguishing between a canonical author and the computer involved less guesswork.
—Laurent Dubreuil, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 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 4 Jul. 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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