episcopate
noun
epis·co·pate
i-ˈpi-skə-pət 
-ˌpāt
1
: the rank or office of or term of as a bishop
2
: diocese
3
: the body of bishops (as in a country)
Examples of episcopate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Vatican observers have long speculated that Francis saw Prevost as a potential successor, especially given his rapid rise and central role in shaping the modern episcopate.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Amicable relations had long existed between the Catholic Church in Rome and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, but the Roman episcopate embraced Mussolini’s regime and its aggressive foreign policy in the mid-1930s.
—Ian Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
The selection of Bishop McElroy, whose diocese has never been led by a cardinal, sends a message about the pope’s wish for a more liberal orientation for the U.S. episcopate.
—Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 29 May 2022
At their last meeting, in June, U.S. bishops voted by a large majority to proceed with drafting a statement on the matter, over the objections of Pope Francis’ strongest supporters in the U.S. episcopate.
—WSJ, 14 Oct. 2021
The letter, dated Jan. 1, is Pope Francis’ most explicit acknowledgment yet of the tensions between him and the U.S. episcopate.
—Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 3 Jan. 2019
Healing will not begin until the episcopate reveals to the world what true repentance looks like, and makes that repentance visible through a change in behavior.
—C.c. Pecknold, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2018
The delay shows that the Vatican simply doesn’t place the same value on speed and openness with the public that the U.S. episcopate does.
—Mene Ukueberuwa, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2018
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Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Amicable relations had long existed between the Catholic Church in Rome and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, but the Roman episcopate embraced Mussolini’s regime and its aggressive foreign policy in the mid-1930s.
—Ian Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
The selection of Bishop McElroy, whose diocese has never been led by a cardinal, sends a message about the pope’s wish for a more liberal orientation for the U.S. episcopate.
—Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 29 May 2022
At their last meeting, in June, U.S. bishops voted by a large majority to proceed with drafting a statement on the matter, over the objections of Pope Francis’ strongest supporters in the U.S. episcopate.
—WSJ, 14 Oct. 2021
The letter, dated Jan. 1, is Pope Francis’ most explicit acknowledgment yet of the tensions between him and the U.S. episcopate.
—Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 3 Jan. 2019
Healing will not begin until the episcopate reveals to the world what true repentance looks like, and makes that repentance visible through a change in behavior.
—C.c. Pecknold, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2018
The delay shows that the Vatican simply doesn’t place the same value on speed and openness with the public that the U.S. episcopate does.
—Mene Ukueberuwa, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Episcopate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/episcopate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
episcopate
noun
epis·co·pate
i-ˈpis-kə-pət
1
: the rank or office of or term of office of as a bishop
2
: the whole body of bishops
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