cathedral

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to or containing or issuing from a bishop's office or throne

   a cathedral church

2. 2
   noun

   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.

3. 3
   noun

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

   a cathedral of commerce

4. 4
   name

   The mainstream system or establishment in society, regarded as liberal or leftist.

   The reaction from the Cathedral—the press, the political establishment, and everyone else who shaped acceptable opinion—was quick and unanimous

5. 5
   noun

   any large and important church

6. 6
   noun

   the principal Christian church building of a bishop's diocese

7. 7
   adj

   Relating to the office of a bishop or an archbishop.

8. 8
   noun

   A large or important church building.

Etymology

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”).