pontiff

noun

pon·​tiff ˈpän-təf How to pronounce pontiff (audio)
1
2
: bishop
specifically, often capitalized : pope sense 1

Examples of pontiff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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According to Britannica, 12 attendants carried two long poles on either side of the elevated seat to carry the pontiff. Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 The president paid tribute to the pontiff, who died earlier Monday morning at age 88, CBS News reported. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025 The pontiff established himself as one of the most progressive in the Church's history. Samantha Riedel, Them., 22 Apr. 2025 Most Popular Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88 How often are schools facing speeding drivers? Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pontiff

Word History

Etymology

French pontif, from Latin pontific-, pontifex

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of pontiff was in 1552

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pontiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pontiff. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pontiff

noun
pon·​tiff ˈpänt-əf How to pronounce pontiff (audio)
: bishop sense 1
especially, often capitalized : pope
pontifical
pän-ˈtif-i-kəl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on pontiff

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