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noun C2 Proficient

edifice

EHD-ih-fihs

Edifice (noun) means a large, imposing building, especially one of architectural significance. Example: “The cathedral is an edifice that took over a century to complete.”

noun
1
A large, imposing building, especially one of architectural significance.
"The cathedral is an edifice that took over a century to complete."
2
A complex system of ideas or beliefs built up over time, used figuratively.
"His entire argument was an edifice built on a single shaky assumption."

How to use edifice

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA grand building, or, figuratively, an elaborate structure of ideas or beliefs.

Common pairings
a towering edifice an edifice of lies a crumbling edifice

Word forms

edifices plural

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Fill the gap

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The cathedral is an _____ that took over a century to complete.

Etymology

From Old French edifice, from Latin aedificium ("building"), from aedificare ("to build") — the same root gives us "edify."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for edifice

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Frequently asked questions

What does “edifice” mean?

The word “edifice” means a large, imposing building, especially one of architectural significance. In plain terms, a grand building, or, figuratively, an elaborate structure of ideas or beliefs.

How do you pronounce “edifice”?

“Edifice” is pronounced EHD-ih-fihs (/ˈɛd.ɪ.fɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “edifice” in a sentence?

Here is “edifice” used in a sentence: “The cathedral is an edifice that took over a century to complete.”

What part of speech is “edifice”?

“Edifice” is a noun.

Where does the word “edifice” come from?

The word “edifice” comes from Latin. From Old French edifice, from Latin aedificium ("building"), from aedificare ("to build") — the same root gives us "edify.".

How many meanings does “edifice” have?

“Edifice” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, imposing building, especially one of architectural significance.

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