The article became the canonical explanation of the problem.
That experiment is the canonical example used in textbooks.
The case became canonical in discussions of free speech.
Fans still debate whether the scene is canonical after the sequel.
The proof starts by choosing a canonical representative.
Similar words
preferred URL
standardized
representative URL
representative
recognized
main URL
legitimate
classic
fugal
canonic
Meanings
Accepted as part of a canon
adjective
literature
neutral
Accepted as an authoritative text, work, author, or story within a religious, literary, artistic, or fictional tradition.
Examples
The Gospel of Luke is a canonical book of the New Testament.
The syllabus focuses on canonical novels from the nineteenth century.
Fans still debate whether the scene is canonical after the sequel.
The museum owns several canonical works by the painter.
Her essay challenged the usual list of canonical authors.
The studio confirmed that the comic is canonical for the series.
Similar words
authoritative
official
accepted
orthodox
classic
recognized
Following church law or rule
adjective
religion
formal
In line with church law, religious rules, or an accepted procedure that has formal authority.
Examples
The bishop reviewed the canonical requirements for the marriage.
The priest requested a canonical dispensation before the ceremony.
The dispute was settled through the canonical process.
Monasteries once organized the day around the canonical hours.
The court examined the canonical status of the parish.
His appointment followed the canonical procedure of the church.
Similar words
lawful
orthodox
legitimate
regular
authorized
official
Accepted as the standard model
adjective
academic
neutral
Recognized as the usual, established, or best-known example of its kind.
Examples
The article became the canonical explanation of the problem.
That experiment is the canonical example used in textbooks.
The team followed the canonical method before trying shortcuts.
Her design is now a canonical reference for the style.
The case became canonical in discussions of free speech.
We compared the result with the canonical dataset.
Similar words
standard
classic
typical
representative
model
exemplary
Put in standard form
adjective
technology
technical
Presented in a preferred or uniquely comparable form, especially in mathematics, computing, logic, or data.
Examples
The polynomial was reduced to its canonical form.
The parser converts each address to a canonical URI.
The proof starts by choosing a canonical representative.
The database stores names in a canonical format.
Each matrix has a canonical representation in the notes.
The API returns the canonical identifier for the object.
Similar words
normalized
standardized
reduced
regular
unique
preferred
Built like a musical canon
adjective
music
technical
Written with one voice or melody imitated by another after a delay.
Examples
The choir sang a canonical piece in three voices.
The lesson compared free imitation with canonical writing.
A canonical passage repeats the melody after two measures.
The composer built the movement from a canonical theme.
Students practiced a short canonical exercise at the piano.
The score uses canonical imitation between the upper voices.
Similar words
canonic
imitative
contrapuntal
fugal
polyphonic
Canonical URL
noun
technology
technical
A preferred URL chosen to represent duplicate or similar web pages in search indexing.
Examples
Add a canonical to the duplicate product page.
The audit found three missing canonicals on the blog.
Search engines may ignore a canonical if the page conflicts with it.
Each filtered listing points to the same canonical.
The developer fixed the broken canonical in the HTML head.
A self-referencing canonical can clarify the preferred URL.
Similar words
preferred URL
main URL
source URL
representative URL
Etymology
From Middle English canonycal, from Medieval Latin canonicalis, from Late Latin canonicus, from Greek kanonikos, built on kanon, meaning a rule or standard.
FAQ
What does canonical mean?
Canonical means accepted as authoritative, rule-based, standard, or in a preferred form, depending on context.
Does canonical always mean religious?
No. It began in church and canon-law contexts, but it is now common in literature, technology, mathematics, music, fandom, and general academic use.
What is a canonical work?
A canonical work is treated as part of an accepted canon, such as a sacred text, classic novel, major artwork, or official storyline.
What is canonical form?
Canonical form is a preferred or standard representation used so that equations, data, names, or objects can be compared consistently.
What is a canonical URL?
A canonical URL is the preferred page address selected for search engines when duplicate or similar pages exist.
Is canonical the same as official?
Official is close in canon and fandom contexts, but canonical can also mean standard, prototypical, or technically normalized.
What is the opposite of canonical?
Possible opposites include apocryphal, unofficial, noncanonical, atypical, and nonstandard, depending on the sense.
Where does canonical come from?
Canonical comes through Medieval Latin and Greek roots tied to kanon, a rule, measure, or standard.
Comments & contributions
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