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

• 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

At other times, a pithy quotation is like a tour guide handing you a delicious insight about the canyon, cathedral, or carving you’re gazing at. —Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025

The most successful cathedral companies also embed long-term thinking into governance structures. —Esade Business & Law School, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Noun

While in Roskilde, the cathedral’s towering brick spires rise solemn and majestic—sheltering centuries of royal slumber. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Multiple layers of architectural history can be seen throughout the cathedral as it has been transformed a number of times by Byzantine, Arabic, and Norman settlers. —Michele Becker, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 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