palace

American  

[pal-is] / ˈpæl ɪs /

noun

1. the official residence of a king, queen, bishop, or other sovereign or exalted personage.

2. a large and stately mansion or building.

3. a large and usually ornate place for entertainment, exhibitions, etc.

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palace British  

/ ˈpælɪs /

noun

1. the official residence of a reigning monarch or member of a royal family

   Buckingham Palace

2. the official residence of various high-ranking church dignitaries or members of the nobility, as of an archbishop

3. a large and richly furnished building resembling a royal palace

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Other Word Forms

• palaced adjective
• palacelike adjective
• palaceward adverb

Etymology

Origin of palace

1200–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin palācium, spelling variant of palātium, Latin: generic use of Palātium name of the hill in Rome on which the emperor's palace was situated; replacing Middle English paleis < Old French ≪ Latin Palātium

Example Sentences

He has been held in a wing of the presidential palace in Niamey with his wife since the junta led by general Abdourahamane Tiani seized power in the west African country on July 26, 2023.

From Barron's

That segment is far outnumbered by people who may fit the contemporary definition of philistines, non-religious viewers who are only in it for the pulse-pounding swordplay and palace intrigue.

From Salon

Most tourists make the trek from Lisbon to Sintra, the Unesco-designated site of the curiously Arabesque summer palace built by Portuguese kings.

From The Wall Street Journal

The tilted-over towers overlooking the palace moat have all been brought back upright, and workers are building new brick castellations for their supporting ramparts.

From Barron's

He will then visit the princely palace, the official residence of the Grimaldi dynasty since the 13th century, for a private meeting with Prince Albert.

From Barron's

Related Words

• dwelling
• hall
• mansion