palace

[pal-is]

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.

palace

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• palaced adjective
• palacelike adjective
• palaceward adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of palace¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of palace¹

C13: from Old French palais, from Latin Palātium _Palatine ², the site of the palace of the emperors

Example Sentences

Ragoravich’s dacha is a “garish and almost grotesque” palace clad in marble that makes Maggie think of Versailles, but in a way that makes Versailles seem dumpy.

From Los Angeles Times

Demonstrators then marched on the presidential palace and tried to enter the compound, prompting riot police to fire pepper spray.

From BBC

There is usually a room in a palace, set up with cameras and lights.

From BBC

The Prince of Wales has said he will bring change to the monarchy when he is king, in an interview palace sources say is the most open Prince William has ever been.

From BBC

Weeks later, the pair arrange to meet in the upstairs balcony of an old movie palace.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dwelling 
• hall 
• mansion