nave

American  

[neyv] / neɪv /

noun

1. the principal longitudinal area of a church, extending from the main entrance or narthex to the chancel, usually flanked by aisles of less height and breadth: generally used only by the congregation.

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nave ¹ British  

/ neɪv /

noun

1. the central space in a church, extending from the narthex to the chancel and often flanked by aisles

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nave ² British  

/ neɪv /

noun

1. the central block or hub of a wheel

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Etymology

Origin of nave

First recorded in 1665–75; from Medieval Latin nāvis, Latin: “ship”; so called from the resemblance in shape

Example Sentences

Looming over the colorless town is its hulking circa-1385 monastery, extended in convent courtyards and stately chapels with lofty naves, offering dazzling displays of stained glass.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the nave she will swear an oath on the Saint John's Bible, the first time a new bible has been used since 1945, in what is being seen as a reflection of modernisation.

From BBC

As a viewer marches down the nave toward the high altar, the apostles also come into view, on a trompe l’oeil ledge.

From The Wall Street Journal

Outright splendor gives way to bold-faced promotion in an annex gallery, housed in MAD’s grand, soaring nave.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Monreale mosaics were meant to impress, humble and inspire the visitor who walked down the central nave, following the fashion of Constantinople, the capital of the surviving Roman empire in the east.

From BBC

Related Words

• heart
• hub
• place