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

His career spanned television, film and theater, tackling roles from King Lear on Broadway to a recurring appearance as an archbishop on the CBS drama Blue Bloods. — Alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026

After Mass, Leo surprised the crowds with a brief appearance on the balcony of the archbishop’s residence in downtown Córdoba, the same balcony from which John Paul II greeted Córdoba in 1987. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

The Argentine Jesuit, the former archbishop of Buenos Aires, never returned home during his 12-year pontificate, confounding friends and foes alike. — Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

The two were introduced by an archbishop and tied the knot in 2017. — Kaitlin Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 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