: a square cap with three ridges on top worn by clergymen especially of the Roman Catholic Church

Illustration of biretta

Illustration of biretta

Examples of biretta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead of the usual thousands, only 10 guests per cardinal were allowed in St. Peter's Basilica as the pope gave the men their ring and traditional red hat, known as a biretta. NBC News, 28 Nov. 2020 Cardinals from Brunei and the Philippines could not travel and will receive their ring and biretta from a papal delegate. NBC News, 28 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Italian berretta, from Old Occitan berret cap, from Medieval Latin birretum, from Late Latin birrus cloak with a hood, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish berr short

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of biretta was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near biretta

Cite this Entry

“Biretta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biretta. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

biretta

noun
: a square cap with three ridges on top worn by Roman Catholic clergymen

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