1
: building
especially
: a large or massive structure
2
: a large abstract structure
holds together the social edifice—
R. H. Tawney
R. H. Tawney
Examples of edifice in a Sentence
a magnificent edifice with a domed ceiling
the U.S. Capitol is one of our nation's most impressive edifices
Recent Examples on the Web
But all the attention to inequality is just a crack in the edifice of economic orthodoxy.
—Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 8 June 2024
The result is a breathtaking edifice with jaw-dropping details around every corner, giving guests a true taste of the splendour of Renaissance aristocratic life.
—Nick Hendry, theweek, 25 Apr. 2024
Not surprisingly, the fast-growing wine scene ushered a broader entrepreneurial energy into Fredericksburg, which led to a deft reimagining of the town's historic edifices.
—Sallie Lewis, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2023
Rather than destroy it, the Taliban have surrounded the edifice with concrete blast walls, careful not to antagonize the large swathe of the population that still reveres the general.
—Matthieu Aikins Bryan Denton, New York Times, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for edifice 
Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 8 June 2024
The result is a breathtaking edifice with jaw-dropping details around every corner, giving guests a true taste of the splendour of Renaissance aristocratic life.
—Nick Hendry, theweek, 25 Apr. 2024
Not surprisingly, the fast-growing wine scene ushered a broader entrepreneurial energy into Fredericksburg, which led to a deft reimagining of the town's historic edifices.
—Sallie Lewis, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2023
Rather than destroy it, the Taliban have surrounded the edifice with concrete blast walls, careful not to antagonize the large swathe of the population that still reveres the general.
—Matthieu Aikins Bryan Denton, New York Times, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for edifice
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'edifice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near edifice
Cite this Entry
“Edifice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edifice. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
edifice
noun
ed·i·fice
ˈed-ə-fəs 
: building sense 1
especially
: a large or impressive building (as a church)
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