archbishop

arch-bish-op · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A senior bishop responsible for a large district or archdiocese, ranking above other bishops.

Forms

plural: archbishops

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Archbishop of Canterbury — The senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England.
  • •
    Archbishop of York — The second-highest-ranking bishop in the Church of England.

Related words

See also: bishop, cardinal, pope, priest
Synonyms: metropolitan, primate

Etymology

From Old English arcebiscop, from Church Latin archiepiscopus, from Greek arkhiepiskopos, from arkhi- ("chief") + episkopos ("bishop, overseer").