buckingham palace: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal, journalistic, touristic
Quick answer
What does “buckingham palace” mean?
The official London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The official London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch.
A metonym for the British monarchy, its institution, and its administration; a major tourist attraction in London.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in reference to the specific building. UK speakers more commonly use it metonymically for the monarchy. US speakers use it primarily as a landmark.
Connotations
For UK speakers, connotes tradition, the Crown, and national identity. For US speakers, connotes tourism, British history, and pageantry.
Frequency
Much higher frequency in UK media and general discourse due to its institutional role.
Grammar
How to Use “buckingham palace” in a Sentence
[Subject] visited Buckingham Palace.[Subject] is located near Buckingham Palace.Buckingham Palace [Verb: e.g., announced, confirmed, stated].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “buckingham palace” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The courtiers were Buckingham-Palaced out after the endless tours.
adjective
British English
- He has a very Buckingham-Palace manner about him.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used metaphorically for stability or tradition: 'Their management style is like Buckingham Palace - very traditional.'
Academic
Used in historical, political, or cultural studies relating to the British monarchy and its institutions.
Everyday
Discussed as a landmark, tourist destination, or in news about the royal family.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts unless in architecture or heritage management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “buckingham palace”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “buckingham palace”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “buckingham palace”
- Incorrect capitalisation (e.g., 'buckingham palace').
- Missing definite article when used generically (e.g., 'We saw Buckingham Palace' is correct; 'We saw the Buckingham Palace' is incorrect).
- Confusing it with other palaces (e.g., 'Kensington Palace').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the State Rooms are open to the public for guided tours during the summer and on selected dates throughout the year.
It is the official residence of the reigning British monarch, though members of the royal family may reside in other palaces.
It was originally a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in the early 18th century. It was later acquired by King George III.
The Royal Standard flag flies above the palace when the monarch is in residence; the Union Flag flies when they are not.
The official London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch.
Buckingham palace is usually formal, journalistic, touristic in register.
Buckingham palace: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbʌkɪŋəm ˈpælɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʌkɪŋˌhæm ˈpælɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The BUCK stops here at the King's house' – BUCK (Buckingham) + ING + HAM (home) Palace.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MONARCHY/STATE IS A BUILDING (e.g., 'The statement came from Buckingham Palace').
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Buckingham Palace' typically represent in a news headline like 'Buckingham Palace announces...'?