noun
Common
cannon
KAN-uhn
Cannon (noun) means a large, mounted gun that fires heavy projectiles, historically used in warfare. Example: “A brass cannon stands on the castle wall as a reminder of old battles.”
noun
1
A large, mounted gun that fires heavy projectiles, historically used in warfare.
"A brass cannon stands on the castle wall as a reminder of old battles."
"The museum has a rusty cannon from an old sailing ship."
"The fort's old cannons still point out over the harbor."
verb
1
To collide with something violently.
"The toddler cannoned into the table and then burst out laughing."
"A cyclist cannoned into the bin after losing control on the wet path."
"The runner cannoned into a defender and both went sprawling."
2
To bombard something with cannon fire.
"In the old story, the fleet cannoned the stone walls until the gates gave way."
"The ship's crew cannoned the distant fort through the long night."
"The ships cannoned the coastal defenses for hours."
How to use cannon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large gun for firing heavy shells, or to crash into something with force.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "canon" (an accepted set of rules or works) — same sound, completely different meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fire a cannon
cannon fire
cannon into
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- cannons
- Past tense
- cannoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A brass _____ stands on the castle wall as a reminder of old battles.
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."
Related words
Rhymes for cannon
See all rhymes for 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."
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