lateran

noun

1. the church of St. John Lateran, the cathedral church of the city of Rome; the church of the pope as bishop of Rome.

noun the Lateran

1. Also called: Lateran palace a palace in Rome, formerly the official residence of the popes
2. any of five ecumenical councils held in this palace between 1123 and 1512
3. the basilica of Saint John Lateran, the cathedral church of Rome

c.1300, popular name of cathedral church of St. John Lateran at Rome, which is built on the site of the palace of the Plautii Laterani, a Roman family. As a papal headquarters, it was the site of five general councils of the Western Church.