cathedral

[kuh-thee-druhl]

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.

cathedral

/ kəˈθiːdrəl /

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      a cathedral city

      cathedral clergy

cathedral

¹

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.)

cathedral

²

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.)

Other Word Forms

• cathedrallike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cathedral¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cathedral¹

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

Example Sentences

On turning 90, she continued to live quietly in Chichester, where she busied herself raising money for the cathedral roof.

From BBC

The coffin of the duchess was brought to the cathedral on Monday, draped in the royal standard and with white roses among the flowers, in honour of the duchess' Yorkshire roots.

From BBC

Soldiers from the Royal Dragoon Guard, of which she had been deputy colonel in chief, carried the coffin from the royal hearse into the cathedral.

From BBC

For Lepore, the Constitution is a blueprint of a cathedral, one that has morphed since its inception, rather like New York’s unfinished St. John the Divine with its mélange of architectural styles.

From Los Angeles Times

A choir at a scandal-hit cathedral sang an "inappropriate" song and walked out of a service in a protest over potential lay-offs.

From BBC