nave.

the main central space of a church, typically extending from the entrance toward the chancel

Use it for

Words that belong together

• church nave
• vaulted nave
• central nave

On the page

Their footsteps carried through the empty nave.

Candles marked a path down the nave.

The nave narrowed toward the screen before the chancel.

Usage notes

Primary curation section: Architecture. Distinguish the nave from the side aisles and from the sanctuary or chancel. Plural: naves.