cathedral

/kəˈθidrəl/

/kəˈθidrəl/

Other forms: cathedrals

On a trip to Europe, many visitors appreciate the stunning architecture of large churches known as cathedrals.

The word cathedral comes from a Latin word meaning “seat.” The seat referred to is the seat of the bishop, who is the leader of a group of churches related to the cathedral. The bishop’s seat is both a metaphor for the cathedral as the bishop’s “seat of power” and his actual chair, the "cathedra," inside the cathedral. Originally a cathedral was called a “cathedral church,” with cathedral as an adjective, but it is now a noun.

Definitions of cathedral

1. noun

   the principal Christian church building of a bishop's diocese
   synonyms: duomo

   type of:

   church, church building

   a place for public (especially Christian) worship
2. noun

   any large and important church
   examples:

   Chartres Cathedral

   a Gothic cathedral in northern France; built in 13th century

   types:

   minster

   any of certain cathedrals and large churches; originally connected to a monastery

   type of:

   church, church building

   a place for public (especially Christian) worship
3. adjective

   relating to or containing or issuing from a bishop's office or throne
   “a cathedral church”