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

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

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

It seems relevant that one edifice the actors do not build during “Dark Noon” is a theater.

From New York Times

By then they had three young sons, and the edifice, which was old enough to be listed in the Domesday Book of 1086, was a happy, never-ending project.

From New York Times

Mountain goats are high-elevation daredevils, learning to balance upon the steepest of rocky edifices soon after they are born.

From New York Times

Related Words

• monument
• skyscraper