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 of cathedral

Noun

• tower
• palace
• edifice

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

Evening For dinner, head to Chic, a cathedral-like restaurant on the upper floor of the Hotel de la Coupole Sapa - MGallery Collection. —Tamara Hinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2026

Taking place at Canterbury Cathedral, the cathedral church of the diocese and the historic seat of the office, the ceremony is rich with a deeply symbolic liturgy in which each action points to the sacred responsibilities of the office itself. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026

Noun

During the service, the archbishop and priests carried a cross down the cathedral’s center aisle in an emotions-stirring moment for those who witnessed the traditional procession. —Holly Andres, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026

Each brotherhood is responsible for carrying different statues to the cathedral. —Alexis Marshall, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th 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