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

The Brunson League is Baltimore’s sacred summer hoops cathedral. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2024

This weekend, the Dodgers, a franchise that’s intertwined with the A’s and their ballpark, will be the next team to bid the concrete cathedral farewell. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2024

Noun

Is there a Milanese landmark more iconic than the Duomo cathedral? —Billboard Italy, Billboard, 30 July 2024

Since then, the hats have been associated with key parts of French history, including the building of Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral in 1163 and the construction of the Eiffel Tower in 1887, when workers wore the red accessories, the outlet reported. —Danielle Jennings, Peoplemag, 26 July 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