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

capitalized : 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

Two days after his election, over 10,000 people flooded the streets of Pope Leo XVI’s former episcopal diocese. —Raúl E. Zegarra, Time, 17 May 2025

Haller Suites & Restaurant offers a dining experience with panoramic views over the episcopal town. —Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025

Noun

One signatory is Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, who challenged President Trump from the pulpit during a prayer service in January. —Jason Derose, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025

Noon Monday-Saturday, St. Richard’s Episcopal Church 5151 Lake Howell Road, Winter Park, free, 407-619-5333, orlandobridgeclub.org. Knitting/Crochet Classes: All ages and skill levels are welcome! —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2025

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