cannon
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cannon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large, mounted gun that fires heavy projectiles, historically used in warfare.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cannon
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French canon, from Italian cannone, from Latin canna ("reed"), ultimately from Ancient Greek and Akkadian words for reed. A doublet of "canyon."
Full origin of cannon →Frequently asked questions
What does “cannon” mean?
The word “cannon” means a large, mounted gun that fires heavy projectiles, historically used in warfare. In plain terms, a large gun for firing heavy shells, or to crash into something with force.
How do you pronounce “cannon”?
“Cannon” is pronounced KAN-uhn (/ˈkæn.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “cannon” in a sentence?
Here is “cannon” used in a sentence: “The fort's old cannons still point out over the harbor.”
What part of speech is “cannon”?
Depending on how it is used, “cannon” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cannon” come from?
The word “cannon” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French canon, from Italian cannone, from Latin canna ("reed"), ultimately from Ancient Greek and Akkadian words for reed. A doublet of "canyon.".
Is “cannon” a common word?
“Cannon” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cannon” have?
“Cannon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, mounted gun that fires heavy projectiles, historically used in warfare.
What is the difference between cannon and canon?
Cannon, with a double n in the middle, is the large mounted gun that fires heavy projectiles. Canon, with one n, refers to a rule or principle, an accepted body of works, or a church title. Confusing the two is one of the most common spelling errors for this pair.
What is the plural of cannon — cannon or cannons?
Both plurals are accepted. In military and historical contexts, cannon often serves as its own plural ("the fort's twenty cannon"), while cannons is also fully standard in general use. Style guides accept either, so consistency within a text matters most.
How is cannon used as a verb?
As a verb, cannon has two uses: to collide with something violently ("she cannoned into the waiter") and to bombard something with cannon fire. The collision sense is especially common in British English, typically followed by "into" or "off."