edifice

noun

ed·i·fice ˈe-də-fəs

Synonyms of edifice

: building

especially : a large or massive structure

: a large abstract structure

… holds together the social edifice …—R. H. Tawney

Examples of edifice in a Sentence

a magnificent edifice with a domed ceiling the U.S. Capitol is one of our nation's most impressive edifices

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In this square was a century-old courthouse, and surrounding that, a Woolworth’s, department stores and mining company offices whose names are still chiseled into stone edifices. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 The towering marble columns in the two-story lobby and the old-fashioned elevators with dials tracking the cars’ locations are but two of the many elements retained from the days when the edifice, built in 1911, was the Union National Bank. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026 Tea & Coffee Piazza was essentially architecture in miniature, translating the vocabulary of buildings into household objects that echoed the postmodern edifices it was so obviously bought for. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 But a tarp was then placed over the entire edifice as if to hide it. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for edifice

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin aedificium, from aedificare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of edifice was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

edificatory

edifice

edificial

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Edifice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edifice. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

edifice

noun

ed·i·fice ˈed-ə-fəs

: building sense 1

especially : a large or impressive building (as a church)

edifice

noun

Synonyms of edifice

Examples of edifice in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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