papal

adjective

pa·​pal ˈpā-pəl How to pronounce papal (audio)
Synonyms of papalnext
: of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church
also : resembling a pope or that of a pope
papally adverb

Examples of papal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Leo's events in Monaco were marked by all the usual protocol and pomp of a papal tour abroad. Reuters, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026 Monaco — The leaders of the world’s two smallest states came together on Saturday, as Pope Leo XIV made history with the first papal visit to Monaco in modern times and called on its residents to share their wealth with those in need. Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026 The trip will be one of the clearest demonstrations of continuity between Leo and Francis, who made Lampedusa the destination of his first papal trip. Francis X. Rocca, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026 The building surrounded the cloister was the site of two papal conclaves that elected Pope Eugene IV in 1431 and Pope Nicholas V in 1447. ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for papal

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin papalis, from Late Latin papa

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of papal was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Papal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papal. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

papal

adjective
pa·​pal ˈpā-pəl How to pronounce papal (audio)
: of or relating to the pope or the papacy
papally adverb

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