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

Players who played under Beard - affectionately known as 'Beardy' to family and friends - formed a guard of honour inside the cathedral as his coffin, draped in two red and white scarves, arrived.

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Throngs of wellwishers gathered around the cathedral ahead of the service.

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After fully renovating their apartment in a 1904 art nouveau building that’s a short walk from the Duomo cathedral, they now split their time between Beverly Hills and Milan, with plenty of travel in between.

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For a quintessential way to wrap up a Driftless trip, grab a Spotted Cow and explore the grounds, built to resemble cathedral ruins.

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"It's another planet, not just another world," says Sana el-Azab, who arrived in the cathedral city late last month after being evacuated to the UK with 33 other students.

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