cathedral

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

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Examples: cathedral in a Sentence

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

The 67-year-old ex-agent was living in Salisbury, a cathedral city 90 miles southwest of London, when he was struck down along with his daughter, Yulia, who was visiting him.

— chicagotribune.com, "Woman exposed to same nerve agent used on ex-Russian spy in England dies; police open murder investigation," 9 July 2018
Public Landing has vertical, cathedral-like ceilings, walls fashioned from local quarried limestone, and a centerpiece bar.

— patrick z. mcgavin, Daily Southtown, "Guide to outdoor dining in Chicago suburbs: Public Landing in Lockport," 8 July 2018
Those sounds supplement the sounds of the pipes of the cathedral organ, and the combination is absolutely beautiful, especially in that space, with that acoustic.

— patrick neas, kansascity, "American Guild of Organists brings its convention to KC for the first time," 28 June 2018
The beauty closet, a serene, cathedral-like space, has floor-to-ceiling shelves labeled dark spot corrector, stretch mark reduction, skin lightener, buffing cream.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Marti Noxon Wants to Put Angry Women on TV," 15 May 2018
The Skripals were found slumped on a bench in the cathedral city of Salisbury on March 4.

— angela dewan, CNN, "UK doctors concerned about Skripals' long-term health after poisoning," 29 May 2018
Elsewhere there are two wet bars and an open living room with cathedral ceilings.

— shannon rooney, Philly.com, "It's Shore time: Here are three Avalon stunners on the market," 28 May 2018
Meghan styled the diamond tiara featuring with a chic bridal updo and cathedral length veil and a custom Givenchy dress featuring long-sleeves and a statement train.

— brittany talarico, PEOPLE.com, "The Meaning Behind Meghan Markle's Wedding Tiara: How It Pays Tribute to Her New Royal Family," 19 May 2018
Detectives will focus their efforts now on Mr. Skripal’s house in the cathedral town of Salisbury, England, said Dean Haydon, senior national coordinator for counterterrorism policing, in a news release.

— ellen barry, New York Times, "Russian Ex-Spy Sergei Skripal Was Poisoned via Front Door, U.K. Says," 28 Mar. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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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

The expansive, three-story structure is supported by broad wood beams high above and looks out of enormous cathedral-like windows to a large garden, where pebbled trails meander through plants and weeping willows toward comfy seating areas.

— New York Times, "Free (or Cheap) Things to Do in NYC This Weekend," 5 July 2018
The charm of the old ball cathedral, particularly for Lamb, soured quickly.

— jeff miller, latimes.com, "Fenway not too inviting for struggling Angels pitchers," 27 June 2018
In some cathedrals, sound travels cleanly around the walls.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Spinning glass ball rejects light from one direction," 27 June 2018
As Mass ended, rows of white figures emerged from the cathedral, occasionally turning around to snap pictures of the archbishop.

— brian contreras, San Antonio Express-News, "‘La Procesión’ lights way to honor city’s patron saint," 13 June 2018
Grand prizes this year are an amethyst cathedral, and an amethyst necklace faceted and designed by club members.

— laura groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "North County Community News, June 6," 6 June 2018
The filter building at the Morgan plant resembles a Renaissance palace with a cathedral-like interior and a gabled, terra cotta tile rooftops.

— steven litt, cleveland.com, "Where clean water comes from: Garrett A. Morgan Water Treatment Plant open for tours May 12 (photos)," 6 May 2018
The couple worked with renowned Belgian architect Axel Vervoordt, whose clients include Robert DeNiro and Calvin Klein, to transform the property into a minimalist, all-white space, with an almost cathedral-like quality.

— mackenzie schmidt, PEOPLE.com, "Kanye West Says He Wants to Build His Own 'Community' as He Shares New Photos of $60M Home," 1 May 2018
So many students signed up that the meeting space had to be moved to Woolsey Hall, a cavernous, cathedral-like auditorium typically used for things like symphony concerts.

— billy baker, BostonGlobe.com, "Here are 3 ways to be happier," 26 Apr. 2018

Illustration of cathedral

First Known Use of cathedral

1587

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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cathedral Synonyms

Synonyms

edifice, hall, palace, tower;

Related Words

construction, erection, structure;

castle, château, countryseat, estate, hacienda, manor, manor house, mansion, showplace, villa;

mausoleum, memorial, monument;

Other Architecture Terms

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

CATHEDRAL Defined for English Language Learners

cathedral

noun

Definition of cathedral for English Language Learners

: the main church of an area that is headed by a bishop

CATHEDRAL Defined for Kids

cathedral

noun ca·the·dral \ kə-ˈthē-drəl \

Definition of cathedral for Students

: the principal church of a district headed by a bishop

Learn More about cathedral

See words that rhyme with cathedral Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cathedral Spanish Central: Translation of cathedral Nglish: Translation of cathedral for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cathedral for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cathedral

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cathedral

Definition of cathedral

Recent Examples of cathedral from the Web

First Known Use of cathedral

Other Architecture Terms

cathedral

Definition of cathedral

Examples of cathedral in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cathedral from the Web

Illustration of cathedral

First Known Use of cathedral

cathedral Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Architecture Terms

Phrases Related to CATHEDRAL

Related Phrases

CATHEDRAL Defined for English Language Learners

cathedral

Definition of cathedral for English Language Learners

CATHEDRAL Defined for Kids

cathedral

Definition of cathedral for Students

Learn More about cathedral

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