cathedral

[ kuh-thee-druhl ]
See synonyms for cathedral on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's throne.

  2. (in nonepiscopal denominations) any of various important churches.

adjective
  1. pertaining to or containing a bishop's throne.

  2. pertaining to or emanating from a chair of office or authority.

Origin of cathedral

1
1250–1300; Middle English <Late Latin cathedrālis (ecclesia) a cathedral (church). See cathedra, -al1

Other words from cathedral

  • ca·the·dral·like, adjective

Words Nearby cathedral

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How to use cathedral in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cathedral

cathedral

/ (kəˈθiːdrəl) /


noun
    • the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's official throne

    • (as modifier): a cathedral city; cathedral clergy

Origin of cathedral

1
C13: from Late Latin (ecclesia) cathedrālis cathedral (church), from cathedra bishop's throne, from Greek kathedra seat

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

Cultural definitions for cathedral (1 of 2)

cathedral

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.)

cathedral

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.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.