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
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Adjective
Video aired by local news outlets showed a Catholic cathedral collapsing and part of a hotel’s facade falling onto a car in the city of Penonomé, in the central province of Coclé. — Juan Zamorano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Inside the home, cathedral-height ceilings and generous windows make the open-concept living area feel surprisingly airy and bright. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
Seeking sense to her loveless existence, at least in the novel Ana attracts the predatorial lust of Magistral Fermín de Pas, her sensual confessor at La Vetusta cathedral, as well as the attentions of local Don Juan Álvaro Mejías. — John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 The rooms Of the 43 rooms (nine are suites), the most coveted are, for obvious reasons, those with views of the cathedral. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 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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