pontiff

noun

pon·​tiff ˈpän-təf 

1

: pontifex

2

: bishop

specifically, often Pontiff : pope sense 1

Examples of pontiff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the Vatican a day earlier, Leo told the teams from alma mater Villanova and fellow Catholic university Notre Dame that in matters of sport, the pontiff was neutral. — Andrew Dampf, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

Luigi Carbone, Pope Leo XIV's physician, said the pontiff's recovery from lung cancer surgery won't stop plans for a visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru involving a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes. — Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

The pontiff was diagnosed with the common cancer of lung adenocarcinoma, and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung during a procedure that lasted about 90 minutes. — Alex Sundby, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Leo, a Chicago native and the first American pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected the church's 267th pontiff in May 2025. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French pontif, from Latin pontific-, pontifex

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

pontiff

noun

pon·​tiff ˈpänt-əf 

: bishop sense 1

especially, often capitalized : pope

pontifical

pän-ˈtif-i-kəl

adjective