edifice

UK: /ˈɛdɪfɪs/ US: /ˈɛdəfɪs/ ,(ed′ə fis)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ed•i•fice /ˈɛdəfɪs/   n. [countable]

1. Architecture a building, esp. one of large size or imposing appearance:
   a 50-story edifice.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ed•i•fice  (ed′ə fis), n. 

1. Architecture a building, esp. one of large size or imposing appearance.
2. any large, complex system or organization.

• Latin aedificium, equivalent. to aedific(āre) to build (see edify) + -ium -ium
• Anglo-French, Middle French
• 1350–1400; Middle English

ed•i•fi•cial  (ed′ə fish′əl), adj.  Synonyms

• 1. See building. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

edifice / ˈɛdɪfɪs/ noun

1. a building, esp a large or imposing one
2. a complex or elaborate institution or organization

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French, from Latin aedificium, from aedificāre to build; see edify