# palace

/ˈpæɫəs/ (US) · /pˈælɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/palace
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. royal residence

noun · CEFR A2

the official home of a king, queen, or president.

For teachers: the official residence of a monarch, head of state, or high-ranking religious dignitary.

- Thousands of tourists gather outside the palace every day to watch the changing of the guard.
- The royal family retreated to their summer palace in the mountains to escape the humid heat of the capital city.

### 2. luxurious house

noun · CEFR B1

a very large and expensive house that looks like it belongs to a king.

For teachers: a large, lavishly decorated, or ornate residence, often used metaphorically for any impressive home.

- After winning the lottery, he bought a modern palace with ten bedrooms and a huge pool.
- The tech mogul's new hilltop estate is a glass-and-steel palace that overlooks the entire valley.

### 3. public building

noun · CEFR B2

a large, beautiful building used for public events, shows, or art.

For teachers: a large and ornate public building designed for exhibitions, entertainment, or cultural gatherings.

- The city built a new ice palace for the winter sports competition.
- The grand exhibition was held in the crystal palace, a structure famous for its innovative use of glass and iron architecture.

### 4. Crystal Palace FC

noun · CEFR B1 · British English · Informal

a common name for a professional football team from London.

For teachers: a common ellipsis referring to Crystal Palace Football Club, a professional team based in South London.

- He has been a Palace fan since he was a young boy.
- Palace managed to secure a late draw against their rivals, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Usage: Usually capitalized when referring to the specific team.

## Examples

- The royal family lives in a beautiful palace in the city.
- Thousands of tourists gather outside the palace every morning to watch the changing of the guard.
- The ancient palace stands as a testament to the empire's former wealth, featuring marble floors and gold-leaf ceilings in every hall.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.