Cannon vs Canon
Published January 18, 2023. Updated January 18, 2023.
Cannon and Canon are pronounced the same but could not be more unrelated. A cannon is a mounted weapon used for firing heavy ammunition, usually spherical projectiles. Canon refers to either a group of works in a particular area of study or art or a collection of religious rules. See? Nothing to do with each other. While neither word is very common, you are more likely to encounter cannon, especially if you watch pirate movies or are interested in historical weapons. The word canon belongs in a very particular context, so unless you are deeply involved in an area of study, art, or in the church, you are not likely to encounter it much. Still, it’s always a good idea to know what words mean.
Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.
Cannon (noun)
A mounted weapon used for firing heavy ammunition.
Examples:
In “Pirates of the Caribbean,” a dramatic battle scene begins with cannon fire.
During the American Civil War, cannons were a commonly used weapon.
In the sentences above, cannon refers to a weapon used in battle. A cannon is usually a large metal cylinder, filled with gunpowder and a cannon ball. When lit, the gunpowder explodes and shoots the cannon ball, which is the ammunition.
Canon (noun)
A group of works in a particular area of study or art.
A collection of religious rules.
Examples:
The canon of the New Testament is a collection of 27 books of scripture.
Shakespeare’s work is a main component of the canon of English literature.
In both examples, canon refers to a very specific niche: either an area of study or art, or a collection of religious rules.
To help you remember that the more common word cannon is spelled with two Ns, think of this phrase: “Blast away with both cannons,” where “both” reminds you that there are two Ns, not one.
Main Points
- Cannon is a weapon used for firing heavy ammunition.
- Canon is a group of works in a particular area of study or art or a collection of religious rules.
- The word canon is a very specialized word. You are not likely to encounter it often.
- For Cannon, think of “Blast away with both cannons” to remind you it has two Ns, not one.