pope

noun

ˈpōp 

1

often Pope : 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

The Avignon papacy of the 14th century, a period when several popes resided in what is now southern France, accelerated this evolution. — Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Now, decades later, Snider was winding down his career, and Prevost was about to participate in a conclave to elect the next pope. — Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Throw in some divine intervention with the first Chicago pope confessing his allegiance to the South Siders, and the Cinderella story has captured the nation’s imagination. — Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Across the ideological spectrum, political leaders — even the no-shows — welcomed the pope’s visit and praised his message. — Mark Landler, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2026

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

ˈpō-pē-ən 

adjective

or less commonly Popean

Pope

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

John 1822–1892 American general