canon meaning and definition

CANON noun

Definition of canon (noun)

1. a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy
   • "the neoclassical canon"; "canons of polite society"
2. a priest who is a member of a cathedral chapter
3. a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
   • synonyms: canyon
4. a contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts
5. a complete list of saints that have been recognized by the Roman Catholic Church
6. a collection of books accepted as holy scripture especially the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired