rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryedificeImposing building
noun

edifice

ED-uh-fis/ˈedɪfɪs/

A large, impressive building.

Towering columns and a broad staircase give the edifice an imposing presence.

A monumental stone building viewed from slightly below, its towering columns, broad staircase and many window rows making its large, imposing scale immediately apparent.
Etymology
edLatintemple, dwelling
+ificeLatinto make, build

The pieces describe making a dwelling or sacred building. The resulting word names the completed structure, especially a large, imposing one in the selected English sense.

In context

ClassicistORG51:51
… Another exquisite civic edifice built by an Ecole-trained architect is the Paris Opera, by Charles Garnier. Now also known as the Opera Garnier …
How Architecture Evolved from the Baroque Period to Now: A Survey of Classical Architecture, Part IV

More examples

  • The museum occupies a grand edifice near the river.
  • Workers restore the roof of the century-old edifice.
  • Several marble edifices line the city's main avenue.

Forms

edifice · edifices

Similar words

building
Building is neutral about size and architectural impressiveness.
structure
Structure includes bridges and other constructions, not just buildings.