apostolic

1 of 2

adjective

ap·​os·​tol·​ic ˌa-pə-ˈstä-lik 

1

a

: of or relating to an apostle

b

: of, relating to, or conforming to the teachings of the New Testament apostles

2

a

: of or relating to a succession of spiritual authority from the apostles held (as by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox) to be perpetuated by successive ordinations of bishops and to be necessary for valid sacraments and orders

b

: papal

apostolicity

ə-ˌpä-stə-ˈli-sə-tē 

noun

apostolicity

2 of 2

noun

apos·​to·​lic·​i·​ty ə-ˌpä-stə-ˈli-sə-tē sometimes ˌa-pə- 

plural -es

: the quality or character of being apostolic

Examples of apostolic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Ciro de Luca/Pool via REUTERS Ciro de Luca / Pool via REUTERS Spanish media said the pope would speak later on Monday with victims at the Vatican embassy in Madrid, formally known as the apostolic nunciature. — CBS News, 8 June 2026

On June 2, 1979, Pope John Paul II set out from Rome on an apostolic journey, as papal trips away from the Vatican are called. — Paul Elie, New Yorker, 8 May 2026

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church directed his remarks to university students at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, during an 11-day apostolic journey in Africa. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Kast and his wife are part of Schoenstatt, a Catholic apostolic movement devoted to the Virgin Mary. — ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English appostolike, borrowed from Late Latin apostolicus, borrowed from Late Greek apostolikós, from Greek apóstolos "messenger, envoy, apostle" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1809, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing apostolic

• apostolic delegate
• prefect apostolic
• prefecture apostolic
• prothonotary apostolic
• protonotary apostolic
• vicar apostolic

Rhymes for apostolic

• alcoholic
• anabolic
• catabolic
• cytosolic
• diabolic
• diastolic
• ethanolic
• hyperbolic
• melancholic
• metabolic
• methanolic
• parabolic

Kids Definition

apostolic

adjective

ap·​os·​tol·​ic ˌap-ə-ˈstäl-ik 

1

: of or relating to an apostle or the apostles

2

: papal