archbishop

noun

arch·​bish·​op (ˌ)ärch-ˈbi-shəp 

: a bishop at the head of an ecclesiastical province or one of equivalent honorary rank

Examples of archbishop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Aquila recently spoke to the Denver Catholic, the archdiocese’s official publication, about his retirement and his time serving as Denver’s archbishop. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025

Our research began as a spin-off from a film called Mission: Joy—Finding Happiness in Troubled Times, in which the 14th Dalai Lama and the late archbishop Desmond Tutu talked about their friendship and offered lessons on creating joy for oneself and others regardless of circumstances. —Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2025

Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Phil Helsel The archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis delivered a message of hope after today’s mass shooting. —Marc Santia, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025

Chicago archbishops have tried to rein in Pfleger. —Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English arcebiscop, from Late Latin archiepiscopus, from Late Greek archiepiskopos, from archi- + episkopos bishop — more at bishop

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

archbishop

noun

arch·​bish·​op (ˈ)ärch-ˈbish-əp 

: the bishop of highest rank in a group of dioceses