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

Locals tacked disgruntled but clever verses onto the busts, writing satires that bemoaned the pope, the city’s bourgeoisie and the corrupt nature of those who held power. —Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 May 2024

Bellocchio pursues this question through the boy’s religious instruction and his relationship with the autocratic yet skittish pope (Paolo Pierobon). —Armond White, National Review, 31 May 2024

Newsom left the Vatican with the pope’s praise for refusing to impose the death penalty. —Christian Orozco, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024

And of course to be ready to sacrifice their life to defend the pope. —Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 6 May 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