pope

noun

ˈpōp 

1

often capitalized : 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

Any baptized, Catholic man is eligible to be elected pope. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 1 May 2025

The conclave will begin on May 7, with electors sequestered in the Sistine Chapel until a new pope is chosen. —Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

Black smoke indicates that votes have been cast, but no candidate has received the two-thirds majority required to be elected pope. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2025

When asked by reporters on the White House lawn about his choice for the next pope, Trump mused for a second before answering with a smile. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 29 Apr. 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 adjective

or less commonly Popean

ˈpō-pē-ən 

Pope

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

John 1822–1892 American general