cathedral
kuh-THEED-ruhl
Cathedral (noun) means the main church of a diocese, home to a bishop's official seat. Example: “The bishop led the service from his seat in the cathedral.”
noun
1
The main church of a diocese, home to a bishop's official seat.
"The bishop led the service from his seat in the cathedral."
"Our choir sang carols in the cathedral on Christmas Eve."
"Tourists queue for hours to see the stained-glass windows of the cathedral."
2
Any large, grand building that feels cathedral-like in scale or importance.
"The vast railway station felt like a cathedral of glass and iron."
"Stepping into the silent warehouse, she felt as though she had entered a cathedral."
"The new library has been called a cathedral of learning."
How to use cathedral
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA major church that serves as a bishop's headquarters, or loosely, any grand, imposing building.
Common pairings
a Gothic cathedral
cathedral ceiling
cathedral city
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Word forms
- Plural
- cathedrals
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The bishop led the service from his seat in the _____.
Etymology
From Latin cathedralis, "of a bishop's chair," from cathedra ("seat, throne"), ultimately from Greek kathedra.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “cathedral” mean?
The word “cathedral” means the main church of a diocese, home to a bishop's official seat. In plain terms, a major church that serves as a bishop's headquarters, or loosely, any grand, imposing building.
How do you pronounce “cathedral”?
“Cathedral” is pronounced kuh-THEED-ruhl (/kəˈθiːdɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “cathedral” in a sentence?
Here is “cathedral” used in a sentence: “Tourists queue for hours to see the stained-glass windows of the cathedral.”
What part of speech is “cathedral”?
“Cathedral” is a noun.
Where does the word “cathedral” come from?
The word “cathedral” comes from Latin. From Latin cathedralis, "of a bishop's chair," from cathedra ("seat, throne"), ultimately from Greek kathedra.
Is “cathedral” a common word?
“Cathedral” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cathedral” have?
“Cathedral” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the main church of a diocese, home to a bishop's official seat.
What is the difference between a cathedral and a church?
Every cathedral is a church, but not every church is a cathedral. A cathedral is specifically the main church of a diocese and contains the bishop's official seat, while an ordinary church has no such role. Size alone does not make a building a cathedral — a small church can be one if it holds the bishop's seat.
What is the difference between a cathedral and a basilica?
A cathedral is defined by its function: it houses a bishop's seat and serves as the main church of a diocese. A basilica is either an honorary title granted to certain important churches or an architectural form with a long central nave. The two can overlap, so a single building may be both a cathedral and a basilica.
Are cathedrals only Catholic?
No. Any Christian denomination organized into dioceses led by bishops — including Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and some Lutheran churches — has cathedrals. A cathedral is simply the church that holds the bishop's official seat, whatever the denomination.
Can cathedral describe a building that is not a church?
Yes. Cathedral is used figuratively for any structure or space that feels vast, grand, or awe-inspiring, as in "a cathedral of steel and glass." It also appears in fixed phrases like "cathedral ceiling," a high, vaulted ceiling in a house.
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