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
The strapless corset gown had a sheer illusion jacket embellished with pearls and was paired with a cathedral veil. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 Last September a new museum opened in Miami’s oldest skyscraper, a Mediterranean Revival building from 1925 modeled after the majestic Giralda cathedral tower in Seville, Spain. — Ada Ferrer, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026
Noun
Due to the large amount of people expected to attend Hansard’s funeral and the limited seating at the venue, a public address system will be placed outside the cathedral. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 Along the streets in the shadow of the cathedral, posters for Hind Rajab, the five-year-old girl allegedly killed by Israel in Gaza, have been pasted to lamp posts. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 29 July 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 5 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of cathedral for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cathedral

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