papal

adjective

pa·​pal ˈpā-pəl How to pronounce papal (audio)
: of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church
also : resembling a pope or that of a pope
papally adverb

Examples of papal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Such an epic event doesn’t come along every papal conclave. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025 Formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, the Chicago native was selected by the papal conclave on May 8 after two days, elected by the College of Cardinals to succeed Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 June 2025 In the spirit of never allowing a good crisis to go to waste, a papal tax controversy might suit the U.S. expatriate population just fine. Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 The first mendicant orders, like the Franciscans and Dominicans, received papal approval in the early 13th century. Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for papal

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin papalis, from Late Latin papa

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of papal was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Papal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papal. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

papal

adjective
pa·​pal ˈpā-pəl How to pronounce papal (audio)
: of or relating to the pope or the papacy
papally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on papal

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