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

Not only were there grand ballgowns that looked ready for a walk down a cathedral aisle, but Lhuillier also offered some sexy, sheer lace dresses with a lingerie twist—perfect for a late night on the dance floor. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025

These rooms are impossibly intricate and graceful, and range from an Art Deco living room to a Gothic cathedral altar. —Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025

Noun

In typical Betsy fashion, the wedding was in a grand cathedral in Paris. —Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025

The heist has prompted a national reckoning, with some officials comparing the shock to the 2019 burning of Notre-Dame cathedral. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 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