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 of cathedral

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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
Stained glass was once reserved for monumental cathedral windows, but today it’s being reimagined in modern and approachable ways. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026 Kayakers can explore hundreds of sea caves, including massive, cathedral-like chambers and breathtaking turquoise water. — Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
The $4 billion white steel, glass, and marble design by the Spanish Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava — alternately compared to a cathedral and a whale carcass — looks and feels like nothing else on the planet, much less a mall. — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 24 Aug. 2026 The interior is like a step into Italy, with tall arches, a dome ceiling from old cathedrals and a mosaic fountain on the back bar, all surrounded by bronze sculptures. — Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cathedral

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th 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 13th century

Phrases Containing cathedral

Rhymes for cathedral

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Browse Nearby Words

cathedra
cathedral
cathedral bells
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Cite this Entry

“Cathedral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cathedral. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cathedral

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