episcopal

1 of 2

adjective

epis·​co·​pal i-ˈpi-skə-pəl 

-bəl

1

: of or relating to a bishop

2

: of, having, or constituting government by bishops

3

Episcopal : of or relating to the Protestant Episcopal Church representing the Anglican communion in the U.S.

episcopally

i-ˈpi-skə-p(ə-)lē 

adverb

Episcopal

2 of 2

noun

: episcopalian

Examples of episcopal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

After returning to the United States, Novakovic attended an Episcopal boarding school in San Antonio, Texas. — Byrachel Cole, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 May 2026

On New Year’s Eve in 1996, Christou followed Deadbeat with a club at a former Episcopal church that was built in 1865. — Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026

Noun

Operating from March through December, the tours take passengers around downtown New Bern and to historic landmarks including New Bern Academy Museum, Cedar Grove Cemetery, and Christ Episcopal Church. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 June 2026

At Kyles Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oak Park, Baker donated a significant sum to build a kitchen named in honor of Royster’s mother, who had been kind to Baker’s own mother. — Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Late Latin episcopalis, from episcopus bishop — more at bishop

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1752, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for episcopal

• archiepiscopal

Kids Definition

episcopal

adjective

epis·​co·​pal i-ˈpis-kə-pəl 

1

: of or relating to a bishop or episcopacy

2

capitalized : of or relating to the Protestant Episcopal Church

episcopally

-p(ə-)lē 

adverb

Etymology

Adjective

derived from Latin episcopus "bishop," from Greek episkopos, literally, "overseer," from epi- "over" and skopos "watcher, goal, object" — related to bishop, horoscope, scope see Word History at bishop