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

The archbishop’s letter named one of Fitzpayne’s many paramours: Forde, who was rector of a parish church in a village on the Fitzpayne family’s estate in Dorset. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 13 June 2025

In the weeks ahead of the conclave, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, archbishop of Newark, said in a joint press conference with five other American cardinals on Friday. —Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 11 May 2025

Prevost then switched to Spanish to recall his years as a missionary and later archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru. —Anders Hagstrom , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025

As the College of Cardinals meets at the Vatican in the coming weeks to elect Francis’ successor, Gomez, a mere archbishop, will stay home. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 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