cathedral

[ kuh-thee-druh l ]
/ kəˈθi drəl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR cathedral ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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Origin of cathedral

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

cathay, cathead, cathect, cathectic, cathedra, cathedral, cathedral ceiling, cathedral glass, cathedral hull, cathepsin, cather
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to cathedral

basilica, sanctuary, temple, chancel, minster

Example sentences from the Web for cathedral

British Dictionary definitions for cathedral

cathedral
/ (kəˈθiːdrəl) /

noun

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

Word Origin for cathedral

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.)

Cultural definitions for cathedral (2 of 2)

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.