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 news story stated that the Vatican had delegated the investigation to the archbishop in charge of the Diocese of Los Angeles. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

But following a call from the influential archbishop of Manila, a million people armed only with flowers, rosary beads and prayers surrounded the camps. —Keith B. Richburg, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2026

The archbishop, who serves the country’s largest Catholic community, also encouraged attendees to remember the three pillars of the Lenten season — prayer, fasting, and almsgiving — by prayer, living with less and giving more, and attending to the needs of others. —Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026

Were Tutu alive today, the archbishop wouldn’t lend any credence to Trump’s claims, Pollard believes. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Feb. 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