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
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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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
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biretta.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Italian berretta, from Old Occitan berret cap, from Medieval Latin birretum, from Late Latin birrus cloak with a hood, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish berr short
First Known Use
1598, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near biretta
Cite this Entry
“Biretta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biretta. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
biretta
noun
bi·ret·ta
bə-ˈret-ə 
: a square cap with three ridges on top worn by Roman Catholic clergymen
More from Merriam-Webster on biretta
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