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

Period details include wood-beamed cathedral ceilings, stained-glass windows, built-ins, and custom millwork.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

You are startled, later, to see the film footage of the tower itself, in its fiery death throes, as it plunged into the cathedral below.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Mosca, who opens the batting with brother Anthony, both teachers from Sydney, said it felt surreal to be playing at a cathedral of cricket such as Eden Gardens, with Indian fans chanting "Italia! Italia!"

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

A series of unfortunate events ultimately lead to her permanent cloister, a tiny cell built into the wall of a cathedral.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

And when we finally reach the bottom of the hill, I see the man with one brow, sheltering in the covered entrance of the cathedral.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron