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cátedra

professorial chair

noun KAH-teh-drah Rare
People & Society Education

Origin: From Greek kathedra ('seat, chair'), same root as 'cathedral'.

Also means

university department

Usage Note

Cátedra refers to the professorial chair or position held by a catedrático (full professor) at a university, and by extension to the academic department associated with it. The phrase sentar cátedra ('to hold forth as an authority') is a common idiom meaning to pronounce definitively on a matter. Do not confuse with catedral ('cathedral'), which shares the Greek root.

Examples

"Ganó la cátedra de filosofía por oposición."

Natural Translation

He won the philosophy chair by competitive exam.

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