monumental building

USAGE SUMMARY

"monumental building" is a correctly formed phrase that is used in English.
You can use it to refer to a building that is especially grand, large, or architecturally significant. For example: "The church is a monumental building that has been standing for over 200 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The Pantheon was possibly the first monumental building of antiquity conceived as an interior.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He spent his war profits on monumental building, on a library, and on art.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The whole point of a monumental building is to create a landmark".

The Guardian - Arts

After a monumental building boom, the United States now has 2.3 billion square feet of self-storage space.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the project is a formidable challenge to all of our expectations of what a monumental building should be.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a monumental building, and Asquith's camera travels up and around its bulk to give it its due importance.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

In 1909 he advertised in the yearbook of the Brooklyn American Institute of Architects that "we build only monumental buildings".

The New York Times

This spectacular piece of town planning depends for its impact on the articulation of paved open spaces, monumental buildings, carefully situated monuments, and the reflective waters of the lagoon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In recent years, the seismic reliability of monumental buildings has been the object of several studies.

Structural Safety

Other examples are architectural terra-cotta and thin ceramic veneer on monumental buildings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The religious buildings have a slightly more special significance than all other monumental buildings.

Journal of Cultural Heritage

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "monumental building" when you want to convey that a structure is not only large but also carries significant symbolic, cultural, or historical weight. It implies an architectural intent to be permanent and impressive.

Common error

Avoid using "monumental building" if the structure is purely a decorative monument with no internal usable space. In those cases, the term 'monument' alone is more accurate. Conversely, do not use it for a large but poorly designed warehouse; the word 'monumental' implies a degree of architectural prestige.

Linguistic Context

In the data provided by Ludwig, the phrase "monumental building" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It consists of the attributive adjective 'monumental' modifying the common noun 'building'. It is used across various disciplines to denote structures that serve as major landmarks or possess significant aesthetic and cultural value.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

8%

General Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "monumental building" is a robust and widely accepted term in English architecture and history writing. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used in formal contexts—particularly within scientific journals and encyclopedias—to describe structures of immense scale and historical significance. While it is often associated with antiquity (like the Pantheon), Ludwig shows it is equally applicable to modern landmarks and ambitious urban projects. When using this phrase, writers should ensure the structure in question possesses both physical magnitude and a degree of cultural or symbolic prestige, distinguishing it from simple large-scale constructions like industrial warehouses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

massive building

Emphasizes the heavy, solid physical presence and substantial scale of the structure.

gigantic building

Focuses primarily on the extreme physical dimensions rather than architectural significance.

architectural landmark

Shifts focus toward the building's role as a recognizable point of interest or historical site.

imposing structure

Highlights the psychological effect the building has on the observer, usually one of awe or intimidation.

grand edifice

Uses more formal and elevated vocabulary to suggest elegance alongside large scale.

monolithic structure

Suggests a building that appears as a single, massive, uniform block or stone.

historic monument

Focuses on the commemorative or legacy-based aspect rather than its functional status as a building.

colossal building

An intensive adjective emphasizing sheer magnitude and immense proportion.

palatial construction

Suggests a level of luxury, detail and scale typical of a palace.

substantial building

A more neutral term indicating a building is solid and of considerable size.

FAQs

How do I use "monumental building" in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject or object to describe grand architecture. For example: "The central station is a monumental building that defines the city skyline."

What is a more formal way to say "monumental building"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "grand edifice" or "imposing structure" to add a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "monumental building" and "historic building"?

While a monumental building is defined by its grand scale and architectural impact, a "historic building" is defined by its age or the events that took place there, regardless of its size.

Can "monumental building" refer to modern skyscrapers?

Yes, if the skyscraper is designed to be an iconic landmark of great significance. You might also consider "architectural landmark" for modern contexts.