archbishop

noun

arch·​bish·​op (ˌ)ärch-ˈbi-shəp How to pronounce archbishop (audio)
: a bishop at the head of an ecclesiastical province or one of equivalent honorary rank

Examples of archbishop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mahony, the archbishop of Los Angeles for more than two decades, was a youthful and high-profile leader who used his position atop the diocese in the 1980s and 1990s to champion social and economic justice, among other causes large and small. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024 The cardinals will be formally installed by Francis on December 8 with the archbishop of Toronto, Frank Leo, and a British theologian, friar Timothy Radcliffe, also among them. Christopher Lamb, CNN, 6 Oct. 2024 The archdiocese said Tuesday the archbishop was alert and in good spirits. Melissa Renteria, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Oct. 2024 Castro was among those arrested but was spared execution after appeals for leniency by an archbishop with ties to his family. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 6 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for archbishop 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'archbishop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English arcebiscop, from Late Latin archiepiscopus, from Late Greek archiepiskopos, from archi- + episkopos bishop — more at bishop

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of archbishop was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near archbishop

Cite this Entry

“Archbishop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archbishop. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

archbishop

noun
arch·​bish·​op (ˈ)ärch-ˈbish-əp How to pronounce archbishop (audio)
: the bishop of highest rank in a group of dioceses
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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