palace

American  

[pal-is] / ˈpæl ɪs /

noun

1. the official residence of a king, queen, bishop, or other sovereign or exalted personage.

2. a large and stately mansion or building.

3. a large and usually ornate place for entertainment, exhibitions, etc.

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palace British  

/ ˈpælɪs /

noun

1. the official residence of a reigning monarch or member of a royal family

   Buckingham Palace

2. the official residence of various high-ranking church dignitaries or members of the nobility, as of an archbishop

3. a large and richly furnished building resembling a royal palace

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Other Word Forms

• palaced adjective
• palacelike adjective
• palaceward adverb

Etymology

Origin of palace

1200–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin palācium, spelling variant of palātium, Latin: generic use of Palātium name of the hill in Rome on which the emperor's palace was situated; replacing Middle English paleis < Old French ≪ Latin Palātium

Example Sentences

The Saudi military protects a nearby palace with air defenses including a Patriot system whose coverage extends to the Diplomatic Quarter, former U.S. defense officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Some doors and emergency exits at the palace had been sealed with bricks and mortar, and staff instructed not to speak publicly about the incident, according to Corriere.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Special housing, whether on a military base, in a palace or sequestered in a guarded compound, is one such reward and inducement.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

BTS's comeback concert is being staged on the doorstep of the historic Gyeongbokgung royal palace -- a fitting venue for the so-called "Kings of K-pop".

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026

They approached the palace slowly, their nerves on guard.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Related Words

• dwelling
• hall
• mansion