pope

noun

ˈpōp 

1

often capitalized : a prelate who as bishop of Rome is the head of the Roman Catholic Church

2

: one that resembles a pope (as in authority)

3

a

: the Eastern Orthodox or Coptic patriarch of Alexandria

b

: a priest of an Eastern church

Examples of pope in a Sentence

The cardinals elected a new pope.

Recent Examples on the Web

The pope continued his respiratory therapy Thursday afternoon and followed the evenings Lenten spiritual exercises. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2025

Pope Francis' medical staff celebrated the pope's 12th anniversary with a cake and candles. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2025

During his recovery, the pope continues to receive high flows of oxygen through nasal tubes during the day. —Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2025

Suddenly every bus in the city of Buenos Aires seemed to sport, on its dashboard, a holy card of the pope. —Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English pāpa, from Late Latin papa, from Greek pappas, papas, title of bishops, literally, papa

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pope

• cope
• dope
• grope
• lope
• mope
• nope
• rope
• scope
• shope
• slope
• soap
• stope

Kids Definition

pope

noun

ˈpōp 

often capitalized

: the head of the Roman Catholic Church

Biographical Definition

Pope 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈpōp 

Alexander 1688–1744 English poet

Popian adjective

or less commonly Popean

ˈpō-pē-ən 

Pope

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

John 1822–1892 American general