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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prevost, 69, and chose Pope Leo XIV as his papal name. Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 21 May 2025 Admittedly, the papal conclave is unique in the selection of a successor. Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Nothing compares to the pageantry of a papal election, not the coronation of a British monarch, a presidential inauguration or a Russian World War II military victory parade. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025 Installing pro-American leaders abroad is never easy, but the papal conclave is an especially tough nut to crack. Nr Editors, National Review, 15 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 29 May. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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