College of Cardinals

American

noun

the chief ecclesiastical body of the Roman Catholic Church, electing and advising the pope and comprising all of the cardinals of the church.

College of Cardinals British

noun

RC Church the collective body of cardinals having the function of electing and advising the pope

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The College of Cardinals will meet in conclave in the Sistine Chapel to debate and then vote for their preferred candidates until a single name prevails.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2025

Francis appointed then-Bishop McElroy to the College of Cardinals in 2022, and three years later he appointed Cardinal McElroy the eighth archbishop of Washington on Jan. 6.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

At age 49 he will become the second-youngest member of the College of Cardinals when he is installed Sept. 30.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 30, 2023

Daily Il Fatto Quotidiano quoted an email from the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Battista Re, to his colleagues saying Francis’ return to the Vatican was expected Thursday or Friday.

From Washington Times • Jun. 14, 2023

Surround the College of Cardinals and you can force them to elect a pope of your choice.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023