ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cathedral

n. · adj.
US //kəˈθidɹəɫ// UK //kɐθˈiːdɹəl// cathe·dral
  1. 1 main church of a diocese (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Religion

    the most important church in an area, where a bishop has their official seat.

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

    Example

    The city's cathedral is famous for its beautiful stained-glass windows.

    Example

    The medieval cathedral remains the architectural focal point of the city, housing the bishop's throne and several historic tombs.
  2. 2 any large church (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a very large or impressive church building.

    a large or important church building, used informally regardless of its official status.

    Example

    Even though it is just a parish church, people call it a cathedral because it is so big.

    Example

    The local community refers to the massive stone structure as a cathedral, though it lacks the official status of a bishop's seat.
  3. 3 impressive building (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a large and beautiful building that makes you feel small or amazed.

    a large, impressive, or lofty building or space, used figuratively to suggest grandeur.

    Example

    The tall redwood trees created a natural cathedral in the forest.

    Example

    The new library was a cathedral of glass and steel, designed to inspire awe in everyone who entered its vast atrium.
  4. 4 relating to a bishop (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Religion

    relating to the office or position of a bishop.

    pertaining to the office, authority, or official seat of a bishop.

    Example

    The priest was promoted to a cathedral position in the capital.

    Example

    The document outlined the cathedral responsibilities of the newly appointed archbishop regarding the administration of the diocese.
Etymology 1

From Middle English cathedral, chathedral, cathiderall, from Old French [Term?], from Latin cathedrālis, from cathedra + -ālis, from Ancient Greek καθέδρα (kathédra, “chair of a teacher, throne”).

Etymology 2

Ellipsis of cathedral church, from Middle English chirche cathederall, cathedrall chirch, calque of Late Latin ecclēsia cathedrālis (“church serving as the bishop's or archbishop's office”), from Latin ecclēsia + cathedrālis. Displaced Old English hēafodċiriċe (literally “main church, head church”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026