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

In three weeks pro football fans will gather in the game’s holiest cathedral, Lambeau Field in Green Bay, to celebrate the sport’s biggest day outside of Super Bowl Sunday: the NFL Draft. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025

Courtesy of Visit Malta Explore Valletta’s harbor, cathedral, and forts The European Union’s smallest capital, Valletta, does big movie-making business. —AFAR Media, 21 Mar. 2025

Noun

Built in the 12th century, the cathedral features stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Yes’ 1972 masterpiece was already a cathedral of sound, but Rhino’s deluxe edition transforms it into a shimmering sonic temple. —Darryn King, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for cathedral

• anhedral
• dihedral
• euhedral
• subhedral
• icosahedral
• octahedral
• polyhedral
• rhombohedral
• tetrahedral

Kids Definition

cathedral

noun

ca·​the·​dral

kə-ˈthē-drəl

: the principal church of a district headed by a bishop