[kuh-thee-druh
l] 
| 1. | the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's throne. |
| 2. | (in nonepiscopal denominations) any of various important churches. |
| 3. | pertaining to or containing a bishop's throne. |
| 4. | pertaining to or emanating from a chair of office or authority. |
| ca·the·dral (kə-thē'drəl) n.
[Short for cathedral church, from Middle English cathedral, of a diocese, from Old French, from Medieval Latin cathedrālis, of a bishop's see, from Latin cathedra, chair; see cathedra.] |
A Christian church building in which a bishop has his official seat (cathedra is Latin for “chair”). A cathedral is usually large and imposing, and many cathedrals are important in the history of architecture. (See Chartres, Notre Dame de Paris, and Saint Paul's Cathedral.)
A church building in which a Christian bishop has his official seat; cathedra is Latin for “chair.” Cathedrals are usually large and imposing, and many have been important in the development of architecture. The building of a cathedral, especially in the Middle Ages, was a project in which the entire town took part. (See Chartres; Notre Dame de Paris; and Saint Paul's Cathedral.)