pontiff

noun

pon·​tiff ˈpän-təf 

1

: pontifex

2

: bishop

specifically, often capitalized : pope sense 1

Examples of pontiff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Key Background Leo was born in Chicago as Robert Francis Prevost, and his election as pontiff drew excited responses from Vance and President Donald Trump, who both wished him success in his role leading the Catholic Church. —Molly Bohannon, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Amid the attention, the new pontiff's eldest brother has drawn scrutiny for social media posts praising Trump and using inflammatory, vulgar rhetoric toward Democrats and transgender people. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

In his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff, Leo called for a genuine and just peace in Ukraine. —Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025

The new pontiff, previously Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, spoke to more than 1,000 journalists in the Paul VI Hall on Monday, May 12, according to The New York Times. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 12 May 2025

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