cathedral

1 of 2

adjective

ca·​the·​dral kə-ˈthē-drəl 

1

: of, relating to, or containing a cathedra

2

: emanating from a chair of authority

3

: suggestive of a cathedral

a cathedral grove of redwoods

cathedral

2 of 2

noun

1

: a church that is the official seat of a diocesan bishop

2

: something that resembles or suggests a cathedral (as in size or importance)

a cathedral of business

the sports cathedral

Illustration of cathedral

• cathedral 1

Synonyms

Noun

• edifice
• hall
• palace
• tower

Examples of cathedral in a Sentence

Noun

the company didn't want just a new office building—it demanded a cathedral that proclaimed its place among the giants of finance

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Notably, the cathedral bell was salvaged from the Danish slave ship Norske Løve, which sank on New Year’s Eve in 1707. —David Nikel, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

The sonorous notes of a modern pipe organ were the soundtrack to my tour, enhancing the sense of reverence the cathedral inspires. —Tracey Teo, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2024

Noun

One of the deceased was quickly identified as Antoine de La Porte, a canon of the cathedral who died in 1710. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 20 Sep. 2024

Excavations reveal that many churches stood on or near the site of the current cathedral long before its construction began in the 12th century. —Tracey Teo, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cathedral

• cathedral ceiling

Kids Definition

cathedral

noun

ca·​the·​dral

kə-ˈthē-drəl

: the principal church of a district headed by a bishop