Meaning & use
edifices
Last updated
“edifices” is a form of “edifice”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountableformal
Large impressive buildings, especially ones that look important or grand.
Grammar: Countable noun; the singular is 'edifice'. Use it for one building: a tall edifice.
Patterns
- a great edifice
- an ancient edifice
- the edifices of a city
The old city is full of stone edifices that date back to the 1700s.
From the river, you can see the grand edifices of the financial district.
They spent years restoring the crumbling edifices along the main square.
nouncountableformalfigurative
Large complex systems or structures, especially in society or government.
Grammar: Used figuratively for systems, not physical buildings. Often appears in phrases like 'the edifice of power'.
Patterns
- the edifice of something
- a political edifice
- the whole edifice
The whole edifice of local government was shaken by the scandal.
They are trying to rebuild the legal edifice after years of neglect.
The economic edifice that supported the region for decades is now collapsing.
Word forms
| singular | edifice |
|---|
Common combinations
- a grand edifice
- The museum is a grand edifice of marble and glass.
- an imposing edifice
- The bank's imposing edifice dominates the street corner.
- the edifice of power
- Critics say the edifice of power is designed to protect the wealthy.
- a crumbling edifice
- The crumbling edifice was finally torn down last year.
Synonyms and how they differ
- building
- The general everyday word; 'edifice' is more formal and suggests something large or impressive.
- structure
- Focuses on how something is built rather than its grand appearance; 'edifice' often implies importance.
- monument
- A building or statue that honors a person or event; an edifice is simply a large building, not necessarily a memorial.
Word family
- edifice noun
- The singular form, meaning one large impressive building or system.
Commonly confused: edifices or edify?
edifices vs edify
'Edify' is a verb meaning to teach or improve someone morally. 'Edifice' is a noun for a building. They share a root but are not interchangeable.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'edifices' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 1 is correct because 'edifices' is a plural noun meaning large impressive buildings. Option 0 is wrong because 'edifices' is not a verb. Option 2 is wrong for the same reason. Option 3 is wrong because 'edifices' is plural and cannot take 'was'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “edifices”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.