canon city: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, academic, religious, literary, musical
Quick answer
What does “canon city” mean?
A general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged.
A collection of works considered genuine or authoritative; the official list of saints; a musical form; a piece of legislation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Both use 'canon law' for ecclesiastical law. In academic/literary contexts, both use 'canon' to denote an authoritative collection.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of authority, established standards, and tradition. Can be a neutral or positive term (e.g., 'canonical text') but can be contentious when discussing what is included/excluded from a cultural canon.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English in direct religious/ecclesiastical contexts due to the established church. Equally common in academic discourse in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “canon city” in a Sentence
[be] considered part of the canon[belong to] the canon of[fall outside] the established canon[establish/form] a canonVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “canon city” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The works of Shakespeare are central to the English literary canon.
- The decision was made in accordance with canon law.
- The choir performed a beautiful Renaissance canon.
American English
- Hemingway's novels are part of the American literary canon.
- Changes to the church's canon required a council vote.
- Pachelbel's Canon in D is a popular wedding piece.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except metaphorically ('the canon of best practices').
Academic
Very common. Refers to the core texts or theories of a discipline (e.g., 'the philosophical canon').
Everyday
Less common. Might be used when discussing books, films, or music considered classics.
Technical
Common in music (a contrapuntal composition), religion (ecclesiastical law), and literature.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “canon city”
- Confusing spelling with 'cannon' (a large gun).
- Using 'canon' as a verb (incorrect: 'They canonised the text' – correct: 'canonized' or 'canonised' is a separate verb).
- Mispronouncing as /keɪˈnɒn/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Canon' (one 'n') refers to a rule, principle, or authoritative collection. 'Cannon' (two 'n's) is a large, mounted gun.
No, 'canon' is a noun. The related verb is 'canonize' (or 'canonise' in UK English), meaning to officially declare someone a saint or to treat something as canonical.
No, it is dynamic and contested. The canon changes over time as cultural values shift and new works gain recognition.
It is the adjective form, meaning 'according to or ordered by canon law' or 'accepted as being authentic, authoritative, or standard' (e.g., a canonical text).
A general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged.
Canon city is usually formal, academic, religious, literary, musical in register.
Canon city: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkænən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkænən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “beyond the canon”
- “canon fodder (pun on 'cannon fodder')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the CANON of great literature – it's the list of books that CAN be ON your must-read list because they are officially approved.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CANON IS A LIST / THE CANON IS A FOUNDATION (core, established, supporting structure).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'canon' LEAST likely be used?