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: a projecting part of a building (such as a church) that is usually semicircular in plan and vaulted
Examples of apse in a Sentence
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The site is equal parts art installation and scientific feat, consisting of an empty white space that fills with rainbows each day as the sun shines through 12 large prisms in the building's apses.
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Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
The reception area and a wine bar occupy the original nave and apse of the church, while a superb open-walled breakfast room and library fill an upstairs mezzanine.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
As the shoreline has since receded, the full footprint of the basilica — its apse and dozens of graves — now sits on dry land.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 28 Nov. 2025
More: The King and Trump: President and first lady welcomed in largest state visit to UK
Charles will also be gifted a special seat in the apse of the basilica.
—Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apse
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Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
The reception area and a wine bar occupy the original nave and apse of the church, while a superb open-walled breakfast room and library fill an upstairs mezzanine.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
As the shoreline has since receded, the full footprint of the basilica — its apse and dozens of graves — now sits on dry land.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 28 Nov. 2025
More: The King and Trump: President and first lady welcomed in largest state visit to UK
Charles will also be gifted a special seat in the apse of the basilica.
—Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apse
Cite this Entry
“Apse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apse. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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noun
: a part of a building (as a church) that sticks out from one end of the building, is usually semicircular, has an arched roof, and is often richly decorated especially in Gothic churches
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