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

Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, said the war was morally unjustifiable. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, described the war as morally unjustifiable, while Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich criticized the White House for sharing social media posts about the war that included video game-style imagery. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 15 Mar. 2026

Cardinal Francis George, a former archbishop of Chicago, famously expressed skepticism about the possibility of an American pope. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026

Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Leo’s hometown Chicago, denounced the White House’ social media posts of the war that spliced in action movie clips with real footage. —ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026

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