# Galilee

/ˈɡæɫəˌɫi/ (US) · /ɡˈælɪlˌiː/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/galilee
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a porch or small chapel at the entrance of a church. It is usually found at the western end of the building.

For teachers: an architectural porch or vestibule at the western entrance of some medieval churches, often used as a space for those not permitted to enter the main sanctuary.

## Examples

- The visitors gathered in the galilee before entering the cathedral.
- The cathedral's galilee served as a transition space where penitents could hear the service without entering the nave.
- Architectural historians note that the galilee at Durham Cathedral is particularly significant for its late Romanesque style and its historical function as a chapel for women.

## Usage notes

- Often used with a capital letter when referring to a specific historical structure, though the architectural term itself is a common noun.

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