English Reference
noun

temple

n.
US /ˈtɛmpəɫ/ UK /tˈɛmpəl/ tem·ple UK spelling temple's, temple's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Religion

    a building where people go to pray or worship a god, especially in religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, or ancient Greek religion.

    an edifice dedicated to the service or worship of a deity or deities.

    Simple

    The tourists removed their shoes before entering the ancient golden temple.

    In context

    The archaeological team discovered a series of inscriptions detailing the rituals performed within the temple during the third century.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Medicine

    the flat area on each side of your face, between your eye and your ear.

    the flattened region on either side of the forehead, situated behind the eye and above the cheekbone.

    Simple

    He rubbed his temples with his fingers to try and stop the headache.

    In context

    The patient reported a sharp, localized pain in the left temple that intensified when chewing.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical

    the two side pieces of a pair of glasses that go over your ears.

    the sidepieces of a pair of spectacles that extend from the frame to the ears.

    Simple

    The optician adjusted the temple of my glasses because they were too tight.

    In context

    Modern eyewear designers often use flexible titanium for the temples to ensure both durability and wearer comfort.

    armsidepiece
  4. 04 C2 Proficiency British EnglishFormal Law

    a famous area in London where many lawyers have their offices.

    a district in central London, specifically referring to the Inner and Middle Temple Inns of Court.

    Simple

    The young lawyer was proud to have secured a position at a firm in the Temple.

    In context

    The historic buildings of the Temple have housed the English legal profession for centuries, dating back to the Knights Templar.

A statue of the Hindu god Ganesha at the entrance to the Wat Sri Suphan temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The Conversation· 24 Aug 2026

Glyn studied the decay of Maya temples in Mexico while travelling with the International Biodeterioration Society.

The Guardian· 10 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated