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

When Catholic cardinals gathered in Rome in May for an enclave to pick the new pope, many joked Rubio — a devote Catholic — should get that job too. —Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025

Leo plans to share his new residence, which is undergoing a major revamp, marking the first time in modern history that a pope has decided to live communally in the palace’s official quarters, The Telegraph reported. —Greg Wehner , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Certainly, the first pope from the United States is significant. —Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

The pope has also called for an end to other global conflicts, including for a ceasefire in Gaza. —Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 15 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for pope

• cope
• dope
• grope
• lope
• mope
• nope
• rope
• scope
• shope
• slope
• soap
• stope

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