pope

pope · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The Bishop of Rome as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

  2. 2.

    A person regarded as having authority or importance in a specified area (often used ironically).

Forms

plural: popes

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Is the Pope Catholic? — A rhetorical question used to indicate that the answer to the preceding question is obviously yes.
  • •
    papal — Adjective relating to the pope.
  • •
    papacy — The office or authority of the pope.

Related words

See also: Vatican, bishop, cardinal, pontiff
Synonyms: Bishop of Rome, Holy Father, pontiff

Etymology

From Old English papa, from ecclesiastical Latin papa ("bishop, pope"), from Greek pappas ("father"), used as a title of respect for bishops.