cathedral

American  

[kuh-thee-druhl] / kəˈθi drəl /

noun

1. the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's throne.

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

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adjective

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

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

cathedral British  

/ kəˈθiːdrəl /

noun

1. 1. the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's official throne

   2. ( as modifier )

      a cathedral city

      cathedral clergy

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cathedral ¹ Cultural  

1. 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.)

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cathedral ² Cultural  

1. 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.)

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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

"This is a Notre Dame inferno in the making," he says in a reference to the Parisian cathedral which caught fire in 2019.

From BBC

Victory was sealed in the next over, England's players streaming on to the field to acknowledge the supporters who filled this cathedral of Australian sport with joyful song.

From BBC

Wintry Prague, with its towering cathedral and snow-dusted palaces of pink and green, provides the perfect backdrop for Christmas festivities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hundreds of fans gathered outside the cathedral and applauded as the cortege arrived, preceded by a guard of scooter riders as The Stone Roses track I Wanna Be Adored played on speakers.

From BBC

Whether today’s brand cathedrals become the new norm in luxury—or, in a few years’ time, look like an expensive indulgence—remains an open question.

From The Wall Street Journal