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

Or, how the Catholic Church elects a pope (sort of). —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024

Inside the pope’s compound, he’s got a theater that was built in 900 AD. —Denise Quan, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024

Tweeting About the New Orleans Saints — and the Team Is Loving It Francis, who became pope in 2013, has had a few health issues in recent years. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024

Every Italian newspaper reports on murder, politics, international headlines, and what the pope said. —Keaton Bell, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024

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

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