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apostolic

American  
[ap-uh-stol-ik] / ˌæp əˈstɒl ɪk /
Also apostolical

adjective

  1. of or characteristic of an apostle.

  2. pertaining to or characteristic of the 12 apostles.

  3. derived from the apostles in regular succession.

  4. of or relating to the pope; papal.


apostolic British  
/ ˌæpəˈstɒlɪk /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, deriving from, or contemporary with the Apostles

  2. of or relating to the teachings or practice of the Apostles

  3. of or relating to the pope regarded as chief successor of the Apostles

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of apostolic

First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin apostolicus, from Greek apostolikós, from apóstol(os) apostle + -ikos -ic

Vocabulary lists containing apostolic

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 speakers’ lineup in Tulsa will reportedly include Flynn, Clark, Eric Trump, Jackson Lahmeyer and his wife Kendra, and a veritable apostolic Lollapalooza of NAR-friendly preachers.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

A diocese statement said the case was put last week before an apostolic tribunal in Spain.

From Barron's • Nov. 11, 2025

It’s a movement that has, as its core idea, apostolic governance.

From Slate • Jan. 6, 2024

Father Doug Owens, delegate to the apostolic administrator in the Diocese of Knoxville, shared news of the verdict in the criminal case “with great relief.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2023

"And apostolic statues climb To crush the imperial urn, whose ashes slept sublime."

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

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