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

The strapless corset gown had a sheer illusion jacket embellished with pearls and was paired with a cathedral veil. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026

Last September a new museum opened in Miami’s oldest skyscraper, a Mediterranean Revival building from 1925 modeled after the majestic Giralda cathedral tower in Seville, Spain. — Ada Ferrer, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026

Noun

One of the newest additions in the center of Reims, a short stroll from the cathedral, Le N3 by Champagne Thiénot unfolds in a period town house above the historic cellars of the namesake family maison (tours and tastings are also available). — Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2026

Jenna Bush Hager and her husband, Henry Chase Hager, soaked up the sights in Rome with their children in August 2025, checking out the iconic Colosseum, taking in historic art and cathedrals, and, of course, eating some gelato. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 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