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

Among the most memorable ensembles were a black gown with a skeletal rib cage embroidered across the torso and a floral cape paired with a cathedral-like headdress, injecting funerary imagery into Michele’s signature maximalism. — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026

Video aired by local news outlets showed a Catholic cathedral collapsing and part of a hotel’s facade falling onto a car in the city of Penonomé, in the central province of Coclé. — Juan Zamorano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

Illinois State University director of bands Tony Marinello led the group in a formal concert at a cathedral and a more informal performance at Baroque Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once performed. — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

San Telmo’s historic atmosphere and renowned vintage shopping scene will keep your itinerary packed, while Montserrat’s proximity to landmarks (like the cathedral and cabildo) is ideal. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 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