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 of palace

Noun

• mansion
• castle
• hacienda
• villa
• manor
• estate

Adjective

• luxurious
• luxury
• deluxe
• luxuriant
• palatial
• lavish

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

Leo, wearing his formal red mozzetta cape, thrilled the flag-waving masses by arriving at the presidential palace in his open-sided popemobile. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Though most monarchs live their entire lives in castles and palaces, the late queen was not born expecting to ascend to the throne. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Then there’s Meghan Markle’s post-palace wardrobe, a parade of tailored trousers, elevated linens, and copious amounts of cashmere. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026

Another senior cleric, Behbahani, not only threw his weight behind the Shah but, as evidence strongly suggests, accepted CIA money to stage pro-palace demonstrations. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026

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