First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1cannon
noun can·non \ˈka-nən\
: a large gun that shoots heavy metal or stone balls and that was once a common military weapon
: a large automatic gun that is shot from an aircraft
plural cannons or cannon
Full Definition of CANNON
1
plural usually cannon a : a large heavy gun usually mounted on a carriage b : a heavy-caliber automatic aircraft gun firing explosive shells
2
or can·on : the projecting part of a bell by which it is hung : ear
3
: the part of the leg in which the cannon bone is found
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Origin of CANNON
Middle English canon, from Anglo-French, from Old Italian cannone, literally, large tube, augmentative of canna reed, tube, from Latin, cane, reed — more at cane
2cannon
verb
: to suddenly and forcefully hit or move into or against someone or something
Full Definition of CANNON
intransitive verb
: to discharge cannon
transitive verb
See cannon defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CANNON
1567
Rhymes with CANNON
Cannon
biographical name Can·non \ˈka-nən\
Definition of CANNON
Joseph Gurney 1836–1926 Uncle Joe Am. polit.
CANNON[1] Defined for Kids
cannon
noun can·non \ˈka-nən\
plural cannons or cannon
Definition of CANNON for Kids
: a large heavy weapon consisting mostly of a metal tube that is mounted on wheels and is used for firing cannonballs
Medical Dictionary
cannon
noun can·non \ˈkan-ən\
Medical Definition of CANNON
: the part of the leg in which the cannon bone is found
Illustration of CANNON
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