splendor

noun

splen·​dor ˈsplen-dər 

1

a

: great brightness or luster : brilliancy

b

: magnificence, pomp

2

: something splendid

the splendors of the past

splendorous adjective

or less commonly splendrous

ˈsplen-d(ə-)rəs 

Synonyms of splendor

• majesty
• brilliance
• glory
• elegance
• magnificence
• grandeur
• nobility

Examples of splendor in a Sentence

The palace had lost much of its original splendor.

the splendor of the ancient monument awed us into silence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stock & Bond is housed in the famed Farmers and Mechanics Bank building, a behemoth that shows off plenty of Art Deco splendor. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2025

On the coast and above Fort Bragg, The Inn at Newport Ranch is set on 2,000 acres, and guests here can take an ATV tour of the grounds to get a better sense of its splendor. —Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025

Say, will floor-to-ceiling bookshelves look superior or is best to leave a few feet between the ceiling and the top of your bookshelf for more visual splendor? —Kate Jerde, Architectural Digest, 28 Dec. 2025

Even Mom couldn’t argue the splendor of Montana covered in snow. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English splendure, from Anglo-French splendur, from Latin splendor, from splendēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for splendor

• bender
• blender
• fender
• gender
• lender
• mender
• prendre
• render
• sender
• slender
• tender
• vender

Kids Definition

splendor

noun

splen·​dor ˈsplen-dər 

1

: great brightness : brilliance

the splendor of the sun

2

: pomp sense 1, glory

the splendor of ancient Rome

3

: something splendid

the splendors of the past

splendorous adjective

also splendrous

ˈsplen-d(ə-)rəs