cannon
noun
can·non
| \ ˈka-nən
\
\
plural cannons
or cannon
Definition of cannon
(Entry 1 of 3)
1 plural usually cannon
a
: a large, heavy gun usually mounted on a carriage
b
: a heavy-caliber automatic aircraft gun firing explosive shells
c
: any device for propelling a substance or object at high speeds
an air cannon a T-shirt cannon
— see also water cannon
3
: the part of the leg in which the cannon bone is found
4
sports, informal
: a very strong throwing arm
While Hershberger had a quick, accurate arm, Lombardi had a cannon.— William Nack a shortstop with a cannon arm
cannon
verb
cannoned;
cannoning;
cannons
Definition of cannon (Entry 2 of 3)
: to discharge cannon
Cannon
biographical name
Can·non
| \ ˈka-nən
\
\
Definition of Cannon (Entry 3 of 3)
Joseph Gurney 1836–1926 Uncle Joe American politician
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Examples of cannon in a Sentence
Verb
The ball cannoned off the goalpost and into the net.Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Researchers recently found medieval cannonballs from culverins, an early form of cannon, that were most likely used by Vlad the Impaler, during his bloody battle in 1461 with the Ottoman Turks. — Fox News, "Remains of 19th-century ‘vampire' found," 5 Aug. 2019 On Monday and Friday, the splashpark is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kids will love the interactive water features including rotating spray cannons, a water buggy, tipping water buckets and geysers. — Jennifer Boehm, sun-sentinel.com, "Beat the heat: South Florida’s best water parks, pools, splash parks," 23 July 2019 Les Moulins was defended by two German strong points with concrete bunkers, a 50 mm cannon, machine guns, mortars and revolving tank turrets, according to historian Peter Caddick-Adams. — The Washington Post, al.com, "D-Day veteran wonders why he lived when so many others died," 3 June 2019 Therefore, according to Japanese officials, Russian jets had entered Japanese airspace -- and what's more, South Korean fighter jets had no business firing aircraft cannons over Japanese territory. — Brad Lendon, CNN, "Why Russia and China are wading into a centuries' old dispute over a tiny island cluster," 26 July 2019 Opponents commanded mini rigs and fired tennis ball cannons at one another while getting fired upon, too, by spectators who paid to shoot from afar. — Jack Mccallum, SI.com, "Remembering Action Park, America's Most Dangerous, Daring Water Park," 1 July 2019 The cannon, like the rest of the wreck, is covered in oyster shells. — Fox News, "Revolutionary War British shipwreck from the siege of Yorktown discovered," 28 June 2019 Les Moulins was defended by two German strong points with concrete bunkers, a 50 mm cannon, machine guns, mortars and revolving tank turrets, according to historian Peter Caddick-Adams. — The Washington Post, al.com, "D-Day veteran wonders why he lived when so many others died," 3 June 2019 Armed with a 20-millimeter cannon, rockets, and air-to-air and anti-tank missiles, the AH-1Z functions as an armed escort for Marine transport helicopters and provides close-air support to friendly ground forces. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Watch a Marine Corps Helicopter Lift Another Marine Helicopter," 15 Apr. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
His attempt cannoned off the post; England took a sigh of relief but there was plenty of work still to do. — SI.com, "UEFA European Under-21 Championship Roundup: Croatia Slump Against Romania & England Lose Late On," 19 June 2019 Fragments can cannon about above the Earth’s atmosphere for centuries — striking other satellites, and adding their wreckage to the deadly debris fields. — Jamie Seidel, Fox News, "Russia accused of testing a 'killer satellite' in orbit," 16 Aug. 2018 His third and final goal had more than a slice of luck to it, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek's effort from outside of the box cannoned into the back of his right foot and looped into the net. — SI.com, "Fans Vote England's Harry Kane as Man of the Moment After Treble in Spectacular Win Over Panama," 25 June 2018 Chances were starting to dry up, but an Eriksen free kick found Jan Vertonghen - who's header cannoned off the post - and Kane couldn't sort his feet out quick enough to tuck into the empty net. — SI.com, "Tottenham Boosts Top-Four Standing, Beats Watford on Kane, Alli Goals," 30 Apr. 2018 In stoppage time Mateus Uribe fired a stinging shot from long range and Pickford leaped to keep it out with one outstretched hand, sending it wide of the goal and cannoning into the advertising boards. — James Ellingworth, The Seattle Times, "Pickford the hero as England’s penalty curse ends," 3 July 2018 Hakan Calhanoglu also came close to stealing the lead for Milan, blasting one from several yards out following a breakaway, but his shot unluckily cannoned off the crossbar. — SI.com, "Juventus 3-1 Milan: Cuadrado & Khedira Break Rossoneri Hearts With Late Stunners at the Allianz," 31 Mar. 2018 The succession of niggling fouls had caused Watford's first-half domination to fall by the wayside and Luka Milivojevic almost made them pay - the midfielder's free kick cannoning back off the upright with Karnezis beaten. — SI.com, "Tense Contest Between Watford, Crystal Palace Ends in Stalemate," 21 Apr. 2018 Jesus had the chance to score from the spot in the second half but cannoned his effort off the inside of the post, with the rebound falling to his teammate Bernardo Silva to tap home. — SI.com, "'I’m Good at Penalties': Goal-Hungry Ederson Volunteers for Man City Spot Kick Duty," 24 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cannon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for cannon
cannon
noun
English Language Learners Definition of cannon
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
cannon
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of cannon (Entry 2 of 2)
British
: to suddenly and forcefully hit or move into or against someone or something
See the full definition for cannon in the English Language Learners Dictionary
cannon
noun
can·non
| \ ˈka-nən
\
\
plural cannons
or cannon