palace
PAL-ihs
Palace (noun) means the official residence of a monarch, head of state, or other high-ranking figure. Example: “Tourists lined up outside the palace to watch the changing of the guard.”
noun
1
The official residence of a monarch, head of state, or other high-ranking figure.
"Tourists lined up outside the palace to watch the changing of the guard."
"The queen waved from the balcony of the palace to the cheering crowd."
"Visitors can tour the state rooms of the palace during the summer."
2
Any large, extravagantly grand building or residence.
"Their new house looked like a palace compared to the old flat."
"The old cinema, with its golden ceiling and marble stairs, was a real palace."
"They turned the hotel lobby into a palace of glass and crystal lights."
How to use palace
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA grand official residence, or loosely, any exceptionally lavish building.
Common pairings
royal palace
a palace of
live like royalty in a palace
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Word forms
- Plural
- palaces
- Third person singular
- palaces
- Past tense
- palaced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Tourists lined up outside the _____ to watch the changing of the guard.
Etymology
From Old French palais, from Latin palatium, named after the Palatine Hill in Rome where Roman emperors built their grand residences.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for palace
See all rhymes for palace →Frequently asked questions
What does “palace” mean?
The word “palace” means the official residence of a monarch, head of state, or other high-ranking figure. In plain terms, a grand official residence, or loosely, any exceptionally lavish building.
How do you pronounce “palace”?
“Palace” is pronounced PAL-ihs (/ˈpæl.ɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “palace” in a sentence?
Here is “palace” used in a sentence: “Tourists lined up outside the palace to watch the changing of the guard.”
What part of speech is “palace”?
“Palace” is a noun.
Where does the word “palace” come from?
The word “palace” comes from Latin. From Old French palais, from Latin palatium, named after the Palatine Hill in Rome where Roman emperors built their grand residences.
Is “palace” a common word?
“Palace” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “palace” have?
“Palace” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the official residence of a monarch, head of state, or other high-ranking figure.
What is the difference between a palace and a castle?
A castle is built primarily for defence, with thick walls, towers, and battlements to withstand attack. A palace is built for comfort and grandeur as a residence, with no serious military purpose. Some royal homes began as fortified castles and were later rebuilt or extended into luxurious palaces.
What is the difference between a palace and a mansion?
A mansion is simply a very large, grand private house. A palace is grander still and carries official status — the residence of a monarch, head of state, bishop, or similar high-ranking figure. Every palace is a kind of grand residence, but not every large house qualifies as a palace.
What is an example of a palace?
Famous examples include Buckingham Palace in London, the official royal residence; the Palace of Versailles in France; and the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. The word can also appear in grand public buildings, such as a 'palace of justice' or an old cinema fondly known as a 'picture palace.'
What are the types of palace?
Palaces are usually named by their occupant or role: royal palaces house monarchs, presidential palaces house heads of state, and episcopal palaces house bishops. Historically there were also summer and winter palaces used seasonally. The common thread is an official residence built on a grand, imposing scale.
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