encyclical

1 of 2

adjective

en·​cyc·​li·​cal in-ˈsi-kli-kəl How to pronounce encyclical (audio)
en-
Synonyms of encyclicalnext
: addressed to all the individuals of a group : general

encyclical

2 of 2

noun

: an encyclical letter
specifically : a papal letter to the bishops of the church as a whole or to those in one country

Examples of encyclical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
His encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, emphasizes humanity and truth over efficiency, calls for government regulation of powerful tech giants, and stresses shared responsibility for technology's impact. Michael Posner, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 But last month in his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV addressed the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. Scott Neuman, NPR, 11 June 2026
Noun
Written in response to the rapid changes brought on by industrial capitalism, the encyclical is claimed by both progressive and conservative Catholics as a charter for their approaches. Paul Elie, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 The encyclical has attracted serious attention from secular quarters as well. Michael Posner, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for encyclical

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Latin encyclicus, from Greek enkyklios circular, general, from en in + kyklos circle — more at in, wheel

First Known Use

Adjective

1647, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of encyclical was in 1647

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Cite this Entry

“Encyclical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encyclical. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

encyclical

noun
en·​cyc·​li·​cal
in-ˈsik-li-kəl
en-
: a letter addressed to a whole group
especially : a letter from the pope to the bishops of the church
encyclical adjective

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