Meaning & Definition of Canonical in English

1. Appearing in a biblical canon

• "A canonical book of the christian new testament"

2. Of or relating to or required by canon law

3. Reduced to the simplest and most significant form possible without loss of generality

• "A basic story line"

• "A canonical syllable pattern"

4. Conforming to orthodox or recognized rules

• "The drinking of cocktails was as canonical a rite as the mixing"- sinclair lewis