noun
- the upper parts of the walls of a church nave, containing windows above the roofs of the side aisles
Usage: architectural term; plural of clerestory
Examples
- The cathedral’s clerestories filled the nave with natural light.
- Gothic churches are famous for their tall clerestories with stained glass windows.
- The architect designed the clerestories to maximize illumination in the sanctuary.
- Restoration work focused on repairing the damaged clerestories.
- The clerestories rose majestically above the side chapels.
- Medieval builders used clerestories to create an uplifting sense of height.