A "canon event" refers to a significant moment or occurrence that is essential and defining within a story or character's life, considered part of the official or "true" storyline. The term "canon" in media means the material that is officially recognized as part of a story's continuity, as opposed to fan theories or alternate versions

. The concept of a "canon event" gained popularity from the 2023 movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , where it describes events that must happen to every Spider-Man variant across different universes to maintain the integrity of their storylines. For example, events like being bitten by a spider or the death of a loved one are canon events that shape who Spider-Man is. These events are seen as inevitable or fated occurrences that define the character's path

. Beyond fiction, the term has been adopted in social media slang to describe real-life moments that shape or define a person's identity or development- moments that feel pivotal and unavoidable, such as an emotional phase in school or a breakup. People often say "it's a canon event" to signify that something is a key, formative experience that should not be interfered with

. In summary:

• Canon event in fiction: A key event that must happen in the official story to define a character or plot.
• Canon event in social slang: A defining moment in a person's life that shapes who they are.

This usage highlights how certain moments-whether in stories or real life-are seen as fundamental and inevitable parts of a narrative or personal history