bishop

noun

bish·​op ˈbi-shəp 

plural bishops

1

: someone having spiritual or ecclesiastical supervision over others: such as

a

: an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyperson ranking above a priest, having authority to ordain and confirm, and typically governing a diocese

b

: any of various Protestant clerical officials who superintend other clergy

c

: a high priest of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presiding over a ward or over all other bishops and over the Aaronic priesthood

2

: either of two pieces of each color in a set of chessmen having the power to move diagonally across any number of adjoining unoccupied squares

3

: mulled port wine flavored with oranges and cloves

Did you know?

The Old English word bisceop, from which we get our English word bishop, comes from the Latin word episcopus. Like many other Latin words connected with religion and the church, this was borrowed from Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written. The Greek word episkopos, meaning “overseer,” was first used for officials in government, and later came to be used for church leaders. In the Bible, bishop and priest were used to identify the same thing. It was much later when a bishop became overseer of a large district, or diocese.

Examples of bishop in a Sentence

the Bishop of New York

Recent Examples on the Web

From Michael O’Connor, born in County Cork and named the first bishop in 1843, to subsequent bishops, clergy and sisters – primarily the Sisters of Mercy, who founded Mercy Hospital in 1847 – Irish roots ran deep in the church. —Paula Kane, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026

For most of its 700-year history, its membership was composed of noblemen — almost never women — who inherited their seats, alongside a smattering of bishops. —Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026

The Catholic bishops, through their public policy office, view the legislation as unnecessary for Catholic schools that have been operating in Connecticut for decades. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026

The Vatican said in its daily bulletin Tuesday that Leo had accepted Sheleta’s resignation under the code of canon law for eastern rite churches that allows for the pope to agree if a bishop asks to step down. —ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bisshop, from Old English bisceop, from Late Latin episcopus, from Greek episkopos, literally, overseer, from epi- + skeptesthai to look — more at spy

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bishop

• auxiliary bishop

Rhymes for bishop

• archbishop

Kids Definition

bishop

noun

bish·​op ˈbish-əp 

1

: a high-ranking member of various sects of the Christian clergy usually in charge of a diocese

2

: a chess piece that moves diagonally

Etymology

Old English bisceop "bishop," from Latin episcopus (same meaning), from Greek episkopos, literally, "overseer," from epi- "on, over" and skopos "watcher, goal, object" — related to episcopal, horoscope, scope

Word Origin

The Old English word bisceop, from which we get our modern English word bishop, comes to us from the Latin word episcopus. Like many other Latin words connected with religion and the church, this was borrowed from Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written. The Greek word episkopos, meaning literally "overseer," was first used of officials in government and later came to be used for church leaders. In the Bible the word meaning "bishop" and the word meaning "priest" were used for the same thing. It was not until much later that the bishop did indeed become overseer of a large district, or diocese.

Biographical Definition

Bishop 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Bish·​op ˈbi-shəp 

Elizabeth 1911–1979 American poet

Bishop

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

J(ohn) Michael 1936–     American microbiologist