cathedral

ca-the-dral · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's throne.

  2. 2.

    Of or relating to a cathedral.

  3. 3.

    A large and important church, even if not technically a bishop's seat.

Forms

plural: cathedrals

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    cathedral ceiling — a high ceiling with sloping sides
  • •
    cathedral city — a city with a cathedral
  • •
    cathedral close — the area immediately surrounding a cathedral

Related words

See also: basilica, bishop, chapel, church
Synonyms: basilica, church, minster

Etymology

From Late Latin cathedralis ("of or pertaining to a chair"), from cathedra ("chair, seat"), from Greek kathedra ("seat"), from kata- ("down") and hedra ("seat"). A cathedral is so named because it contains the bishop's cathedra (throne).