cannon
B2Formal/Historical/Military/Sports
Definition
Meaning
A large, heavy piece of artillery, typically mounted on wheels, formerly used in warfare.
Refers to a powerful, rapid-fire gun; also an automatic device in machinery or sports (like a billiard shot).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a historical military term, but retains specific technical and sporting uses. The plural is usually 'cannons' in modern usage, though 'cannon' is also accepted as plural.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'cannon' as a verb (to collide) is slightly more common. The plural form 'cannon' (unchanged) is more often seen in historical/technical British contexts.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties. Strongly associated with historical warfare, naval battles, and fortifications.
Frequency
Higher frequency in British English due to more common historical references and place names (e.g., Cannon Street).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N (cannon)V (to cannon into/off something)N of N (a cannon of criticism)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “loose cannon”
- “cannon fodder”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorically used for a powerful, disruptive force or person (e.g., 'He's a loose cannon in negotiations.').
Academic
Used in historical, military, and engineering contexts to describe pre-modern artillery.
Everyday
Most common in historical discussions, films, or as a metaphor (e.g., 'cannon into someone').
Technical
Specific use in billiards/snooker for a shot where the cue ball hits two others consecutively.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The snooker ball cannoned off the cushion and into the pocket.
- In the chaos, he cannoned into the referee.
American English
- The basketball cannoned off the rim and into the stands.
- The skier lost control and cannoned into the safety netting.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The ship had a formidable cannon deck.
- They faced a cannon barrage for hours.
American English
- The fort's cannon fire was relentless.
- He made a perfect cannon shot in pool.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The old cannon is in the museum.
- The pirate ship had a big cannon.
- They fired the cannon during the historical reenactment.
- The castle walls were protected by many cannons.
- The loose cannon in the marketing department often creates unnecessary controversy.
- The billiard player executed a perfect cannon to win the frame.
- The general's strategy was to use light cavalry alongside the heavy cannon to break the enemy lines.
- His latest book is a veritable cannon of criticism aimed at modern political institutions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A CANNON is so large it CAN NON-stop fire.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER IS A CANNON (e.g., 'a cannon of criticism'), UNCONTROLLABLE FORCE IS A LOOSE CANNON.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'canon' (канон). 'Cannon' is пушка, гаубица.
- The verb 'to cannon' (to collide) has no direct single-word equivalent in Russian; use 'столкнуться' or 'удариться'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'canon' (a rule or musical piece).
- Using 'cannons' incorrectly as the only plural (both 'cannon' and 'cannons' are acceptable).
- Confusing 'cannonball' (noun) with 'cannon ball' (the projectile).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a common metaphorical idiom using 'cannon'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Cannon' refers to a large gun. 'Canon' refers to a body of rules, principles, or a collection of works (e.g., literary canon) or a type of musical composition.
Yes, primarily in British English (though understood elsewhere), meaning to collide forcefully and rebound (e.g., 'The ball cannoned off the wall').
Both are correct. 'Cannons' is more common in modern general usage, while 'cannon' (unchanged) is often seen in historical/military contexts.
It is an idiom referring to soldiers regarded merely as material to be expended in war, often used critically to describe disposable personnel.