Definition of Cardinal
Cardinal
car·di·nal
Definition/Meaning
(noun)
a type of North American bird characterized by a crested head, a black face, a stout red beak, and red plumage (only in males);
e.g. I spotted a cardinal sitting on the tree outside the window.
(noun)
a leading official in the Roman Catholic Church, who ranks just below the Pope and who is a member of the college that appoints future popes;
e.g. He was appointed to be a cardinal by the Pope.
(noun)
each of the numbers used in simple counting (one, two three, etc.), as contrasted with ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.);
e.g. Each box was numbered with a cardinal which was used to refer to the box from then on.
(adjective)
basic or fundamental in importance;
e.g. The handbook outlines the cardinal rules that members must follow.
(adjective)
extremely important or greatly serious;
e.g. This is a cardinal offense, and you will not be easily pardoned.
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