apostolic

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

Examples of apostolic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2014, the university awarded Prevost, then the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, an honorary doctor of humanities. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 10 May 2025

By 2014, Prevost was back in Peru after Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo and later the bishop of Chiclayo. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 9 May 2025

In 2014, he was named apostolic administrator and then bishop of Chiclayo, in northern Peru in a region where the Chicago Augustinians have long had a presence. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

In 2014, he was appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru by Pope Francis, according to the Vatican. —May 8, CBS News, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

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

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