episcopacy

noun

epis·​co·​pa·​cy i-ˈpi-skə-pə-sē 

plural episcopacies

1

: government of the church by bishops or by a hierarchy

2

: episcopate

Examples of episcopacy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During this 35-year period, John Paul and Benedict remade the episcopacy in their image. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 July 2021

Asked by reporters about tensions between the White House and the U.S. episcopacy, Blinken avoided a direct answer. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 June 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

episcopacy

noun

epis·​co·​pa·​cy i-ˈpis-kə-pə-sē 

plural episcopacies

1

: government of a church by bishops

2

: episcopate sense 2