Synonyms

cathedral

American

[kuh-thee-druhl] / kəˈθi drəl /

noun

the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's throne.
(in nonepiscopal denominations) any of various important churches.

adjective

pertaining to or containing a bishop's throne.
pertaining to or emanating from a chair of office or authority.

cathedral British

/ kəˈθiːdrəl /

noun

1. the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's official throne
2. ( as modifier )
  
  a cathedral city
  cathedral clergy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

cathedral ¹ Cultural

A church building in which a Christian bishop has his official seat; cathedra is Latin for “chair.” Cathedrals are usually large and imposing, and many have been important in the development of architecture. The building of a cathedral, especially in the Middle Ages, was a project in which the entire town took part. (See Chartres; Notre Dame de Paris; and Saint Paul's Cathedral.)

cathedral ² Cultural

A Christian church building in which a bishop has his official seat (cathedra is Latin for “chair”). A cathedral is usually large and imposing, and many cathedrals are important in the history of architecture. (See Chartres, Notre Dame de Paris, and Saint Paul's Cathedral.)

Other Word Forms

cathedrallike adjective

Etymology

Origin of cathedral

1250–1300; Middle English < Late Latin cathedrālis ( ecclesia ) a cathedral (church). See cathedra, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s a tribute to the medieval craftsmen who built Europe’s glorious cathedrals, but also a reminder that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

From The Wall Street Journal

I like to step outside the cathedral and walk.

From The Wall Street Journal

You are startled, later, to see the film footage of the tower itself, in its fiery death throes, as it plunged into the cathedral below.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mosca, who opens the batting with brother Anthony, both teachers from Sydney, said it felt surreal to be playing at a cathedral of cricket such as Eden Gardens, with Indian fans chanting "Italia! Italia!"

From Barron's

“What an incredible opportunity to elevate the sport in a city where you have one of the great cathedrals of the sport,” Wasserman told The Times last year.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023