canons regular: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “canons regular” mean?
Members of certain religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church who live in community under a rule (canon) and are typically priests, combining communal monastic life with active ministry such as parish work or education.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Members of certain religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church who live in community under a rule (canon) and are typically priests, combining communal monastic life with active ministry such as parish work or education.
Historically, canons regular are distinguished from secular canons, as they take religious vows and live communally, following the Rule of St. Augustine. The term can also refer more broadly to the concept of a community of clergy living under a shared religious rule.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is equally rare and specialized in both regions. Might be slightly more familiar in British English due to historical Church of England structures that also had 'canons' (though typically 'secular canons'), but the specific term 'canons regular' remains primarily a Roman Catholic technical term.
Connotations
Connotes historical religious orders, tradition, formal clerical structure, and a specific form of communal religious life. No negative connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Almost exclusively found in historical, theological, or ecclesiastical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “canons regular” in a Sentence
The [Premonstratensian] canons regularcanons regular [of St. Augustine]a community/prominent order of canons regularVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “canons regular” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The clergy decided to canon regularise their communal life. (Note: 'canon regular' is not a verb; this is a constructed example using a related form)
- The bishop encouraged the priests to live as canons regular.
American English
- The group sought to establish themselves as canons regular. (Noun usage)
- They were canonically erected as canons regular. (Adverbial use of 'canonically')
adverb
British English
- They lived regular, according to the Augustinian Rule. (Note: 'regular' here is not an adverb from 'canons regular'; it's the adverbial use of the adjective 'regular')
American English
- The order was established canonically regular. (Awkward; demonstrates the term doesn't form a standard adverb)
adjective
British English
- The canons regular community maintains the ancient liturgy.
- He studied the canons regular tradition in England.
American English
- A canons regular priory was founded in the 12th century.
- The canons regular lifestyle combines prayer and service.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, and religious studies contexts to describe specific medieval and modern religious orders.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would require explanation.
Technical
Precise term in Catholic canon law and ecclesiastical history to distinguish from 'secular canons' or other forms of religious life.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “canons regular”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “canons regular”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “canons regular”
- Using 'canon regular' as a singular to describe one person (correct but rare). More common mistake is confusing them with monks (they are technically clergy in communal life) or with secular canons who work in cathedrals but don't take vows.
- Misspelling as 'cannons regular' (cannons are artillery).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both live in community under a rule, canons regular are ordained priests (clerics) whose primary focus often includes active ministry like running parishes or schools. Monks may or may not be priests, and their primary focus is often on contemplation and work within the monastery.
It comes from the Latin 'regula', meaning 'rule'. It indicates they live according to a specific religious rule (most commonly the Rule of St. Augustine), as opposed to 'secular' clergy who live in the world (saeculum).
No, it is a highly specialized ecclesiastical and historical term. Most people, even many Christians, would not encounter it outside of specific academic or religious contexts.
Yes, two well-known examples are the Canons Regular of St. Augustine (Augustinian Canons) and the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré (Premonstratensians or Norbertines).
Members of certain religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church who live in community under a rule (canon) and are typically priests, combining communal monastic life with active ministry such as parish work or education.
Canons regular is usually formal, ecclesiastical in register.
Canons regular: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkænənz ˈrɛɡjʊlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkænənz ˈrɛɡjələr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific. The term itself is highly technical.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CANONS who live REGULARly by a RULE. They are regular because they follow a regula (Latin for rule).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE RELIGIOUS LIFE IS A STRUCTURED PATH. The 'regular' implies order, rule, and disciplined communal life, as opposed to the 'secular' (worldly) life.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinction between 'canons regular' and 'secular canons'?