Definition of "cathedral" in English

adjective

1. Relating to the office of a bishop or an archbishop.

noun

1. The principal church serving as the office (and some as place of residence) of an archdiocese's/a diocese's archbishop/bishop which is symbolized by an episcopal throne known as the cathedra.

   • The bishop presided over the ceremony from his seat in the cathedral.

2. (loosely or informally) A large or important church building.

3. (figurative) A large, impressive, lofty, and/or important building or place of some other kind.

   • a cathedral of commerce

4. A large buttressed structure built by certain termites.