palace

1 of 2

noun

pal·​ace ˈpa-ləs 

1

a

: the official residence of a chief of state (such as a monarch or a president)

b

chiefly British : the official residence of an archbishop or bishop

2

a

: a large stately house

b

: a large public building

c

: a highly decorated place for public amusement or refreshment

a movie palace

palace

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of or relating to a palace

2

: of, relating to, or involving the intimates of a chief executive

a palace revolution

palace politics

3

: luxurious, deluxe

Synonyms

Noun

• castle
• château
• estate
• hacienda
• hall
• manor
• manor house
• manse
• mansion
• villa

Adjective

• Babylonian
• deluxe
• lavish
• Lucullan
• Lucullian
• luxe
• luxuriant
• luxurious
• luxury
• opulent
• palatial
• plush
• plushy
• silken
• sumptuous

Examples of palace in a Sentence

Noun

The town's old movie palace has been torn down.

the billionaire's “summer cottage” turned out to be an over-the-top palace

Adjective

a palace railroad car that was built for a 19th-century robber baron

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From cliffside monasteries to Milanese fashion hideouts to Venetian palaces that feel like a movie set, these properties bring a little magic to your trip. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

The building is a late Renaissance palace erected around 1575 near the city’s landmark Spanish Steps. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 May 2025

Also known as the papal palace, it’s considered the official residence of the pontiff, though his predecessor Pope Francis broke with tradition and instead resided at a Vatican guesthouse. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025

Princess Kate, 43, and Prince William, 42, circulated among the thousands of guests on the lawns of the palace, dressing for the part. —Simon Perry, People.com, 20 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English palais, from Anglo-French, from Latin palatium, from Palatium, the Palatine Hill in Rome where the emperors' residences were built

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for palace

• allis
• balas
• callous
• callus
• chalice
• gallus
• malice
• malus
• pallas
• phallus
• talis
• talus

Kids Definition

palace

noun

pal·​ace

ˈpal-əs

1

: the official residence of a ruler

2

: a large splendid house

3

: a large public building (as for a legislature, court, or governor)

Etymology

Noun

Middle English palais "palace," from early French palais (same meaning), from Latin palatium (same meaning), from Palatium, name of one of the Seven Hills of Rome on which the Caesars had their residences