pope

noun

ˈpōp 

1

often Pope : a prelate who as bishop of Rome is the head of the Roman Catholic Church

2

: one that resembles a pope (as in authority)

3

a

: the Eastern Orthodox or Coptic patriarch of Alexandria

b

: a priest of an Eastern church

Examples of pope in a Sentence

The cardinals elected a new pope.

Recent Examples on the Web

The first American pope just brought Hollywood to the Vatican. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Nov. 2025

All those present in the audience in the Vatican’s apostolic palace met Leo personally at the end, with Lee presenting the first American pope with a New York Knicks jersey. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025

Continue reading … PAPAL PREMIERE – First American pope to welcome Hollywood stars to Vatican for rare Holy Year audience. —FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Earlier this year, Kartel released a sizzle reel with a host of slick AI images that included Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg and a DJ-ing pope. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English pāpa, from Late Latin papa, from Greek pappas, papas, title of bishops, literally, papa

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pope

• cope
• dope
• grope
• lope
• mope
• nope
• rope
• scope
• shope
• slope
• soap
• stope

Kids Definition

pope

noun

ˈpōp 

often capitalized

: the head of the Roman Catholic Church

Biographical Definition

Pope 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈpōp 

Alexander 1688–1744 English poet

Popian

ˈpō-pē-ən 

adjective

or less commonly Popean

Pope

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

John 1822–1892 American general