Illustration of biretta
: a square cap with three ridges on top worn by clergymen especially of the Roman Catholic Church
Examples of biretta in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now the first American Pope, is seen here receiving his biretta from Pope Francis at the Vatican on Sept. 30, 2023.
—
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 9 May 2025
Instead of the usual thousands, only 10 guests per cardinal were allowed in St. Peter's Basilica as the pope gave the men their ring and traditional red hat, known as a biretta.
—NBC News, 28 Nov. 2020
Cardinals from Brunei and the Philippines could not travel and will receive their ring and biretta from a papal delegate.
—NBC News, 28 Nov. 2020
Among those receiving the cardinals’ biretta — a crimson-red square cap with three ridges — was his point man for helping Rome’s homeless and poor.
—Washington Post, 28 June 2018
Other looks in the show included a teal cargo jumpsuit with a matching miter, an oversized polo dress topped with a red velvet cardinal’s biretta, and a high-necked white dress that evoked an adult-size christening gown.
—New York Times, 9 May 2018
The deeply revered priest was a tall man with a long Old World beard and a biretta cap perched on his head.
—Joni Sternbach, Smithsonian, 29 July 2017
Tip o' the biretta to David Weinberger, Paul Boutin, James R. Giusti, and Paul McFedries.
—Wired Staff, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2000
The deeply revered priest was a tall man with a long Old World beard and a biretta cap perched on his head.
—Joni Sternbach, Smithsonian, 30 June 2017
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Rebecca Schneid, Time, 9 May 2025
Instead of the usual thousands, only 10 guests per cardinal were allowed in St. Peter's Basilica as the pope gave the men their ring and traditional red hat, known as a biretta.
—NBC News, 28 Nov. 2020
Cardinals from Brunei and the Philippines could not travel and will receive their ring and biretta from a papal delegate.
—NBC News, 28 Nov. 2020
Among those receiving the cardinals’ biretta — a crimson-red square cap with three ridges — was his point man for helping Rome’s homeless and poor.
—Washington Post, 28 June 2018
Other looks in the show included a teal cargo jumpsuit with a matching miter, an oversized polo dress topped with a red velvet cardinal’s biretta, and a high-necked white dress that evoked an adult-size christening gown.
—New York Times, 9 May 2018
The deeply revered priest was a tall man with a long Old World beard and a biretta cap perched on his head.
—Joni Sternbach, Smithsonian, 29 July 2017
Tip o' the biretta to David Weinberger, Paul Boutin, James R. Giusti, and Paul McFedries.
—Wired Staff, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2000
The deeply revered priest was a tall man with a long Old World beard and a biretta cap perched on his head.
—Joni Sternbach, Smithsonian, 30 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“Biretta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biretta. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
biretta
noun
bi·ret·ta
bə-ˈret-ə 
: a square cap with three ridges on top worn by Roman Catholic clergymen
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