Definition of: cathedra

(kə·thē′drə, kath′ə-) noun
1. A bishop's seat or throne in the cathedral or chief church of his diocese; hence, the see or dignity of a bishop.
2. A professor's chair.
—ex cathedra Latin
1. Literally, from the seat: applied to a pronouncement on faith or morals by the Pope as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
2. With authority: also used attributively, meaning “officially spoken”: an ex cathedra pronouncement. [<L <Gk. kathedra <kata down + hedra seat. Doublet of CHAIR.]