Vatican

noun

Vat·​i·​can ˈva-ti-kən 

1

: the papal headquarters in Rome

2

: the papal government

Vatican adjective

Examples of Vatican in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Located right next to the halls of the Valentino atelier, it’s housed in a former Vatican school and printing house for Propaganda Fide, the Holy See’s dicastery for the propagation of the faith. —Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 22 May 2025

Also known as the papal palace, it’s considered the official residence of the pontiff, though his predecessor Pope Francis broke with tradition and instead resided at a Vatican guesthouse. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025

These changes build on Pope Francis’s early green Vatican initiatives but go further in implementation. —Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

He was also spotted in Vatican City during the Conclave when the new pope was elected. —Marina Watts, People.com, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin (mons) Vāticānus, hill on the west bank of the Tiber, the traditional site of the apostle Peter's tomb, on which a basilica was built in the 4th century

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Vatican

• the Vatican