edifice

[ ed-uh-fis ]

noun

1. a building, especially one of large size or imposing appearance.
2. any large, complex system or organization.

edifice

/ ˌɛdɪˈfɪʃəl; ˈɛdɪfɪs /

noun

1. a building, esp a large or imposing one
2. a complex or elaborate institution or organization

Derived Forms

• edificial, adjective

Other Words From

• ed·i·fi·cial [ed-, uh, -, fish, -, uh, l], adjective
• uned·i·ficial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of edifice¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French, Middle French < Latin aedificium, equivalent to aedific ( āre ) to build ( edify ) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of edifice¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin aedificium, from aedificāre to build; see edify

Synonym Study

See building.

Example Sentences

And so he did, until the whole edifice came crumbling down following a shocking June debate.

From Slate

A bedrock for the edifice of speech suppression and virtual thought-policing is the old standby of equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

From Salon

Once a music hall and auditorium, this towering edifice of brick and stained glass with a monstrous pipe organ and nearly 1,700 seats was red-tagged and razed after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake.

From Los Angeles Times

Like most Christian Scientists, she does not give her age but admits to remembering when City Hall was L.A.’s tallest building and she walked with her mother from their Westlake home to the brick edifice on Hope Street.

From Los Angeles Times

Every article or broadcast segment about where Trump stands on the issues should make it clear that his entire pitch is built on an edifice of lies.

From Salon

Related Words

• monument
• skyscraper