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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- edifices
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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."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for edifice
See all rhymes for edifice →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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