cathedral

adjective ca·the·dral \ kə-ˈthē-drəl \

Definition of cathedral

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

Recent Examples of cathedral from the Web

Cathedral offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor (Michigan) is the top in-state prospect at No.

— kyle neddenriep, The Courier-Journal, "Notes: Six-game Tip-Off Classic features loaded field," 28 Aug. 2017
A master bedroom, study, family room with cathedral ceiling and inviting kitchen are all part of the home's sensible floorplan.

— jill sell, cleveland.com, "HBA of Greater Cleveland invites you to its Homearama 2.0 celebration," 27 Aug. 2017
Nor, however, has Charlemagne’s ruthlessness in battle been adjudged reason to remove his famous statue from the cathedral entrance at Notre Dame de Paris.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "On Charlottesville, Trump, and Anti-Americanism," 19 Aug. 2017
Cathedral moves back to Class 5A after moving up to 6A the previous two seasons due to the tournament success factor.

— kyle neddenriep, Indianapolis Star, "Preps Insider Top 10 football countdown: No. 4 Cathedral," 12 Aug. 2017
Even the cathedral’s famous gargoyles have suffered, their faces worn after centuries of wear and tear.

— chanel vargas, Town & Country, "Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral is Crumbling and Short on Funds," 3 Aug. 2017
The destination is the ringing chamber, 333 steps high in the cathedral’s central tower.

— Washington Post, "Religion events from around the Washington area," 21 July 2017
A 275-gallon fish tank in the dining room is a conversation piece, as is the adjoining great room with custom beamed cathedral ceiling and stone fireplace.

— joey morona, cleveland.com, "Chesterland mansion is gorgeous inside and out: House of the Week," 30 June 2017
Cathedral offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor, the top in-state player by 247sports, is committed to Michigan.

— kyle neddenriep, Indianapolis Star, "HS notebook: Hoops showcase dates set, recruiting updates," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cathedral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of cathedral

14th century

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

cathedral

noun

Definition of cathedral

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

See cathedral defined for English-language learners

See cathedral defined for kids

Examples of cathedral in a Sentence

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 of cathedral from the Web

In 2016, the cathedral removed all images of the Confederate battle flag in response to a 2015 deadly shooting at an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina.

— leada gore, AL.com, "National Cathedral may remove stained-glass windows depicting Confederate generals," 25 Aug. 2017
Texas high school football has another cathedral for Friday Night Lights with the opening of Katy ISD’s new $72 million Legacy Stadium.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "Texas has another Friday Night cathedral but size isn’t everything," 18 Aug. 2017
Kari Curletto, who was the grand winner of the 2017 competition, designed a dress that featured a 6-foot detachable cathedral train.

— erika trombley, Cosmopolitan, "These Gorgeous Wedding Dresses Are Made Entirely Out of Toilet Paper," 27 July 2017
The city, spared sectarian bloodshed until May, now has more than 2,000 Muslim residents forced to take refuge at the local cathedral after attacks by the mostly Christian anti-Balaka militia.

— Washington Post, "Warnings as deadly Central African Republic violence returns," 19 July 2017
There are Spanish forts and cathedrals dating back as far as the 1500s, built only a few decades after Christopher Columbus’ arrival on the island in 1492.

— lori rackl, chicagotribune.com, "Spend a ‘Weekend in Havana’ with new PBS special," 17 July 2017
And for Bruce Willis’ flying taxicab—a full-size version of which sits in Cité du Cinéma’s cathedral-like lobby—Besson turned to Jean-Claude Mézières, cocreator of Valérian et Laureline.

— adam rogers, WIRED, "Luc Besson Tests the Outer Limits With Sci-Fi Epic Valerian," 6 July 2017
MUSIC Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist: Mark Valenti, piano, 12:15 p.m. July 12, 812 N. Jackson St., (414) 276-9814.

— elaine rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Your weekly entertainment calendar, July 7-13," 6 July 2017
Police cordoned off the area as technicians collected evidence from the scene, which is near a Roman Catholic cathedral and a First United Methodist Church center.

— kim chatelain, NOLA.com, "Texas cop killer had criminal record in St. Tammany: report," 1 July 2017