monsignor

noun

mon·​si·​gnor män-ˈsē-nyər 

mən-

plural monsignors or monsignori ˌmän-ˌsēn-ˈyȯr-ē 

: a Roman Catholic prelate having a dignity or titular distinction (as of domestic prelate or protonotary apostolic) usually conferred by the pope

—used as a title prefixed to the surname or to the given name and surname

monsignorial

ˌmän-ˌsēn-ˈyȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Examples of monsignor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the monsignor was murdered at the end of Season 3, Ignatius was devastated. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 18 July 2024

There was no tolling of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica, no solemn announcement by a Vatican monsignor to the faithful in the square. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023

Diddi also heard from Perlasca on March 1, 2022, when the monsignor filed a formal complaint alleging Chaouqui had threatened him and claimed to be working with prosecutors. —Nicole Winfield, ajc, 5 Dec. 2022

The couple wrote their own vows, which were officiated by a Catholic monsignor and a Presbyterian minister. —Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Italian monsignore, from French monseigneur

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

monsignor

noun

mon·​si·​gnor män-ˈsē-nyər 

mən-

plural monsignors or monsignori ˌmän-ˈsēn-ˈyōr-ē 

-ˈyȯr-

—used as a title for Roman Catholic priests