cathedral

1 of 2

adjective

ca·​the·​dral kə-ˈthē-drəl How to pronounce cathedral (audio)
Synonyms of cathedralnext
1
: of, relating to, or containing a cathedra
2
: emanating from a chair of authority
3
: suggestive of a cathedral
a cathedral grove of redwoods

cathedral

2 of 2

noun

1
: a church that is the official seat of a diocesan bishop
2
: something that resembles or suggests a cathedral (as in size or importance)
a cathedral of business
the sports cathedral

Illustration of cathedral

Illustration of cathedral
  • cathedral 1

Synonyms

Noun

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Examples of cathedral in a Sentence

Noun the company didn't want just a new office building—it demanded a cathedral that proclaimed its place among the giants of finance
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Andrea Mitchell, who got her start at NBC News during the Carter administration, was spotted in one of the cathedral chapels, which doubled as a warming room for reporters doing stand-ups or waiting for the clear to enter the cathedral itself. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2025 Dozens of bishops gathered outside, their white robes whipping in the wind as Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich struck the closed cathedral doors with his crozier, an ornate staff, to officially mark the cathedral’s reopening. — Joshua Berlinger, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
In Argentina, whose population is roughly 63 percent Catholic, people celebrated Bergoglio’s ascendancy to the papacy with jubilation in the streets; thousands headed to the country’s cathedrals waving Argentine flags. — Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025 The Ones swear loyalty to the queen of Good (Camille Cottin), who’s headquartered in a space cathedral linked to the area via an undersea portal. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cathedral

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cathedral was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing cathedral

Rhymes for cathedral

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cathedral
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Cite this Entry

“Cathedral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cathedral. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

cathedral

noun
ca·​the·​dral
kə-ˈthē-drəl
: the principal church of a district headed by a bishop

More from Merriam-Webster on cathedral

Nglish: Translation of cathedral for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cathedral

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