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

Maybe that’s precisely why I was so drawn to Conclave, Edward Berger’s thriller/mystery about the selection of a new pope. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024

Pope Francis has established himself as one of the most boundary-pushing popes the church has ever had. —Fran Tirado, Them, 20 Dec. 2024

The pope uses a ceremonial hammer to open each holy door. —Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024

The upcoming memoir — which follows his March 2024 book Life: My Story Through History — was originally meant to be published after Francis’ death, but the pope decided to release it in 2025 in celebration of the Jubilee year. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Dec. 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