curia

American  

[kyoor-ee-uh] / ˈkyʊər i ə /

noun

curiae plural

1. one of the political subdivisions of each of the three tribes of ancient Rome.

2. the building in which such a division or group met, as for worship or public deliberation.

3. the senate house in ancient Rome.

4. the senate of an ancient Italian town.

5. (sometimes initial capital letter) Curia Romana.

6. the papal court.

7. the administrative aides of a bishop.

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curia British  

/ ˈkjʊərɪə /

noun

1. (sometimes capital) the papal court and government of the Roman Catholic Church

2. 1. any of the ten subdivisions of the Latin, Sabine, or Etruscan tribes

   2. a meeting place of such a subdivision

   3. the senate house of Rome

   4. the senate of an Italian town under Roman administration

3. (in the Middle Ages) a court held in the king's name See also Curia Regis

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• curial
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• curiae
  plural

Etymology

Origin of curia

1590–1600; < Latin cūria, perhaps < *coviria, equivalent to co- co- + vir man + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

The secretary of state also heads the Roman Curia, the Church's central administration.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2025

Francis’ holiday speeches to the Curia have become infamously candid, often shining a light on what he perceives to be workplace toxicity.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2024

The Rev. James Anguiano, moderator of the Curia and vicar general of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, delivered a homily in Spanish and English.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2024

Fearfully sticking to rules may give the appearance of avoiding problems but only ends up hurting the service that the Vatican Curia is called to give the church, he said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2023

The Curia was destroyed by fire, which it caught from the funeral pyre of Clodius.

From Walks in Rome by Hare, Augustus J. C.