apse
Americannoun
-
Architecture. a semicircular or polygonal termination or recess in a building, usually vaulted and used especially at the end of a choir in a church.
-
Astronomy. an apsis.
noun
-
Also called: apsis. a domed or vaulted semicircular or polygonal recess, esp at the east end of a church
-
astronomy another name for apsis
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of apse
First recorded in 1815–25; variant of apsis
Explanation
In architecture, an apse is a curved or rounded section at one end of a building. You'll most often find an apse in a church. In Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine Christian churches, it's very common to find a semicircular area with a vaulted ceiling, often topped by a dome, on the east side of the building. This is generally where the altar is located, making the apse the most important section of the building. The word comes from the Latin apsis, "arch or vault," and the Greek root hapsis, "arch or loop."
Vocabulary lists containing apse
Cemetery Boys
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Art History
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Vocabulary from the Lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, Volume I
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A room near the church’s apse contains fragments of a sarcophagus believed to be St. Neophytos’s.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
There is still scaffolding around much of the eastern end, and in coming years the outside walls of the apse and sacristy will need treatment.
From BBC • Nov. 29, 2024
The floor plans of Aksumite churches generally followed that of Byzantine churches or basilica, meaning they were oblong in shape with a rounded apse at one end.
From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023
She took inspiration from figurative paintings representing the four Christian evangelists as a lion, an eagle, a bull and an angel in the apse of St. Michael’s church in Ferrara.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 26, 2021
By mid November the foundation hole for the apse and choir had been completely excavated.
From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
