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

The strapless corset gown had a sheer illusion jacket embellished with pearls, and was paired with a cathedral veil. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025

The look actually consists of two pieces–an embellished bustier and skirt, featuring another sweetheart neckline and accessorized with a birdcage veil in front and a cathedral length veil in the back. —Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2025

Noun

In 1902, the Bishop of Mallorca asked him to redesign the interior of the island’s cathedral. —D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

The cathedral smells strongly of myrrh oil from Jerusalem. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 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