cathedral

[ kuh-thee-druhl ]

noun

1. the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's throne.
2. (in nonepiscopal denominations) any of various important churches.

adjective

1. pertaining to or containing a bishop's throne.
2. pertaining to or emanating from a chair of office or authority.

cathedral

/ kəˈθiːdrəl /

noun

1. 1. the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's official throne
   2. ( as modifier )

      a cathedral city

      cathedral clergy

cathedral

¹

1. A church building in which a Christian bishop has his official seat; cathedra is Latin for “chair.” Cathedrals are usually large and imposing, and many have been important in the development of architecture. The building of a cathedral, especially in the Middle Ages , was a project in which the entire town took part. ( See Chartres ; Notre Dame de Paris ; and Saint Paul's Cathedral .)

cathedral

²

1. A Christian church building in which a bishop has his official seat ( cathedra is Latin for “chair”). A cathedral is usually large and imposing, and many cathedrals are important in the history of architecture. ( See Chartres , Notre Dame de Paris , and Saint Paul's Cathedral .)

Other Words From

• ca·thedral·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cathedral¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Late Latin cathedrālis ( ecclesia ) a cathedral (church). See cathedra, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cathedral¹

C13: from Late Latin ( ecclesia ) cathedrālis cathedral (church), from cathedra bishop's throne, from Greek kathedra seat

Example Sentences

Seeing the coral, which is in the Solomon Islands, was like seeing a "cathedral underwater", he said.

From BBC

Other singers from the Master Chorale later joined in and “laid the bricks of a cathedral one at a time,” Gershon said, “layering and combining and building and stacking and removing.”

From Los Angeles Times

The latest details come three weeks after Valenzuela’s death and days after a public funeral Mass was held for him at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

“Through their representation in the church and the grandeur of the cathedral and the grandeur of St. Peter’s, it’s extraordinary and humbling. So many lives, so much history, all living the same doubts. And the church reminds you of that: Where do we go after death? The Catholic church tries to celebrate the mystery by embracing you in that.”

From Los Angeles Times

Rev Dr George J Whyte, interim moderator at St Giles' Cathedral, led a short service of remembrance.

From BBC