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

Established in 1506, the Swiss Guard's mission is to always guard and protect the pope and his official residence, the Apostolic Palace, as well as cardinals who gather during the papal conclave. —Katie Kindelan, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025

Advertisement His speech was another signal that the new pope, whose views on many issues remain unclear, is likely to take the same hardline stance on climate change as his predecessor. —Simmone Shah, Time, 1 Oct. 2025

Shortly after the pope's remarks, Cupich issued a statement announcing Durbin has declined to receive the award. —Claire Giangrave, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025

The pope also continued his call for the release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023. —Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 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