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Canon Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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canon

[ˈkænən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

photography

A lens with a long focal length used for photographing distant objects.

Synonyms

telephoto lens, zoom lens.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
canon

Brand name of a company known for producing cameras, printers, and other technology.

  • I just bought a new Canon camera and the picture quality is amazing.
  • Canon printers are known for their reliability and performance.
telephoto lens

Used in photography for taking pictures from a long distance with high magnification.

  • A telephoto lens is perfect for capturing wildlife shots without disturbing the animals.
  • Sports photographers often rely on telephoto lenses to get close-up shots from the sidelines.
zoom lens

A camera lens that can vary its focal length to zoom in or out on a subject.

  • A zoom lens offers flexibility for photographers who need to switch between wide-angle and telephoto shots quickly.
  • He used a zoom lens to capture both the landscape and close-up details during his travel.

Examples of usage

  • He used a Canon lens to capture the bird in flight.
  • The Canon lens allowed him to zoom in on the mountain peak.
Context #2 | Noun

religion

A collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine.

Synonyms

holy writ, scripture.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
canon

In a religious context, it often refers to the official list of books that a particular religious community regards as authoritative scripture.

  • The canon of the Roman Catholic Church includes the Apocrypha
  • Discussions about the biblical canon can often get quite detailed
scripture

This is a more commonly used term to describe the holy writings of a religion. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts.

  • Christians read the Bible as their scripture
  • Many religions have their own sets of scriptures
holy writ

This term is often used in a reverent manner to refer to the sacred texts of any religion. It has an archaic tone and is mostly used in formal or literary contexts.

  • He studied the holy writs to find guidance
  • The holy writs are considered sacred by millions

Examples of usage

  • The Bible is considered the canon of Christianity.
  • The Quran is the Islamic canon.
Context #3 | Noun

literature

A body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy.

Synonyms

principle, rule.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
canon

Use 'canon' when referring to a collection of works or a standard in literature, art, or religious texts.

  • The Harry Potter series is considered canon in modern fantasy literature
  • The church's canon includes many ancient writings
principle

Use 'principle' when referring to a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.

  • She is a woman of strong principles
  • One of the basic principles of democracy is freedom of speech
rule

Use 'rule' when referring to a prescribed guide for conduct or action, often found in laws or regulations.

  • The school has a strict rule against cheating
  • He broke the rules and was punished accordingly

Examples of usage

  • The canons of literary criticism.
  • The canons of architecture.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'canon'

The word 'canon' has its origins in the Greek word 'kanon', meaning 'rule' or 'measuring rod'. In ancient times, a canon was a standard or rule, such as a religious or literary text. Over time, the term evolved to encompass a variety of meanings, from a collection of sacred books to a fundamental principle in a field. The modern usage of 'canon' reflects its diverse historical origins.

See also: canonical.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,895 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.