palace

1 of 2

noun

pal·​ace ˈpa-ləs 

1

a

: the official residence of a chief of state (such as a monarch or a president)

b

chiefly British : the official residence of an archbishop or bishop

2

a

: a large stately house

b

: a large public building

c

: a highly decorated place for public amusement or refreshment

a movie palace

palace

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of or relating to a palace

2

: of, relating to, or involving the intimates of a chief executive

a palace revolution

palace politics

3

: luxurious, deluxe

Synonyms

Noun

• castle
• château
• estate
• hacienda
• hall
• manor
• manor house
• manse
• mansion
• villa

Adjective

• Babylonian
• deluxe
• lavish
• Lucullan
• Lucullian
• luxe
• luxuriant
• luxurious
• luxury
• opulent
• palatial
• plush
• plushy
• silken
• sumptuous

Examples of palace in a Sentence

Noun

The town's old movie palace has been torn down.

the billionaire's “summer cottage” turned out to be an over-the-top palace

Adjective

a palace railroad car that was built for a 19th-century robber baron

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The palace continues to exercise caution around her schedule, announcing her appearances closer to the time and emphasizing that her recovery remains her top priority. —Janine Henni, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025

After lunch, wind your way to Dar El Bacha, the former palace of Thami el Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakesh in the early 20th century. —Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025

Outside a palace in southern Spain, construction workers started digging up the garden to install a safety feature. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025

Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne Right on Lake Lucerne, this Belle Époque palace reopened after a full renovation with a new sense of calm and space. —Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English palais, from Anglo-French, from Latin palatium, from Palatium, the Palatine Hill in Rome where the emperors' residences were built

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for palace

• allis
• balas
• callous
• callus
• chalice
• gallus
• malice
• malus
• pallas
• phallus
• talis
• talus

Kids Definition

palace

noun

pal·​ace

ˈpal-əs

1

: the official residence of a ruler

2

: a large splendid house

3

: a large public building (as for a legislature, court, or governor)

Etymology

Noun

Middle English palais "palace," from early French palais (same meaning), from Latin palatium (same meaning), from Palatium, name of one of the Seven Hills of Rome on which the Caesars had their residences