archbishop

noun

arch·​bish·​op (ˌ)ärch-ˈbi-shəp 

: a bishop at the head of an ecclesiastical province or one of equivalent honorary rank

Examples of archbishop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pope Francis named a progressively minded ally, Cardinal Robert McElroy, as the archbishop of Washington. —Anna Spiegel, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025

Pope Francis on Monday named Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego as the archbishop of Washington, aligning the U.S. capital's archdiocese with one of his most progressive allies. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

And for Christmas, that means showing up for Mass. The archbishop’s Christmas Mass has been a staple at Men’s Central Jail since at least the early 1970s, when Peter Pitchess was the sheriff and the Bauchet Street lockup was just a few years old. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Girl Scouts' statement responding to Cincinnati archbishop's decision to cut ties Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is – and always has been – a secular organization that welcomes girls of all faiths. —Enquirer Staff, The Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English arcebiscop, from Late Latin archiepiscopus, from Late Greek archiepiskopos, from archi- + episkopos bishop — more at bishop

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

archbishop

noun

arch·​bish·​op (ˈ)ärch-ˈbish-əp 

: the bishop of highest rank in a group of dioceses