1. (

• canon

) a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy; "the neoclassical canon"; "canons of polite society" ;

2. (

• canon

) a priest who is a member of a cathedral chapter ;

3. (

• canyon ,
• canon

) a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall ;

4. (

• canon ,

) a contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts ;

5. (

• canon ,

) a complete list of saints that have been recognized by the Roman Catholic Church ;

6. (

• canon ,

) a collection of books accepted as holy scripture especially the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired ;