pontiff

noun

pon·​tiff ˈpän-təf How to pronounce pontiff (audio)
1
2
: bishop
specifically, often capitalized : pope sense 1

Examples of pontiff 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.
For centuries, the land was the private dwelling of emperors and pontiffs until 2014, when Pope Francis opened the papal gardens to the public. Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025 During the ceremony, the pontiff will also canonize Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian man known for helping those in need and who died of polio in the 1920s. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 Tibetans, initially resistant to the transfer of the community’s political mandate from pontiff to public, slowly but steadily embraced this experiment in democratic self-governance. Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025 The telegram was written on behalf of the pontiff by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, according to the Vatican. Marc Santia, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pontiff

Word History

Etymology

French pontif, from Latin pontific-, pontifex

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of pontiff was in 1552

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pontiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pontiff. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pontiff

noun
pon·​tiff ˈpänt-əf How to pronounce pontiff (audio)
: bishop sense 1
especially, often capitalized : pope
pontifical
pän-ˈtif-i-kəl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on pontiff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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