canonical meaning and definition

CANONICAL adjective

Definition of canonical (adjective)

1. appearing in a biblical canon
   • "a canonical book of the Christian New Testament"
   • synonyms: canonic
2. of or relating to or required by canon law
   • synonyms: canonic
3. reduced to the simplest and most significant form possible without loss of generality
   • "a basic story line"; "a canonical syllable pattern"
   • synonyms: basic, canonic
4. conforming to orthodox or recognized rules
   • "the drinking of cocktails was as canonical a rite as the mixing"- Sinclair Lewis
   • synonyms: canonic, sanctioned