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

Francis, drawing from his experiencing ministering to low-income Argentinians during his time as Buenos Aires archbishop, was committed to the ideal of mercy. —Liam Adams, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025

Before becoming pope, Francis was known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025

Nothing in the church canons requires it, but the standard practice is for archbishops to be elevated to the College of Cardinals. —Randall Balmer, Time, 21 Apr. 2025

Naumann became administrator of the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 2003, and was appointed as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas in 2005. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 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