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

Special prayer services are being conducted around the world, including Argentina, where the pope was born and served as an archbishop before his ascension to the papacy. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025

Also this week, while in the hospital, Francis has amended the Vatican's form of government, promoting two archbishops to new positions, and made contact with the parish priest in Gaza. —Willem Marx, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025

Aymond, who has been archbishop since 2009, remains its leader. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025

McElroy, a liberal ally of Pope Francis, was announced as the next archbishop two weeks before the inauguration of Trump, whom both McElroy and Francis have repeatedly criticized. —Conor Murray, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

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