archangel

¹ American  

[ahrk-eyn-juhl] / ˈɑrkˌeɪn dʒəl /

noun

1. Theology. a chief or principal angel; in medieval angelology one of the nine orders of celestial attendants on God.

2. angelica.

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Archangel ² American  

[ahrk-eyn-juhl] / ˈɑrkˌeɪn dʒəl /

noun

1. Russian Arkhangelsk.  a seaport in the northwestern Russian Federation in Europe, on Dvina Bay.

2. Gulf of Archangel, former name of Dvina Bay.

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archangel ¹ British  

/ ˈɑːkˌeɪndʒəl, ˌɑːkænˈdʒɛlɪk /

noun

1. a principal angel, a member of the order ranking immediately above the angels in medieval angelology

2. another name for angelica

3. a Eurasian herbaceous plant ( Lamiastrum luteum ) that has yellow helmet-shaped flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

4. a bronze-coloured breed of domestic pigeon with black markings

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Archangel ² British  

/ ˈɑːkˌeɪndʒəl /

noun

1. Russian name: Arkhangelsk.  a port in NW Russia, on the Dvina River: major centre for the timber trade and White Sea fisheries. Pop: 345 000 (2005 est)

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Other Word Forms

• archangelic adjective
• archangelical adjective

Etymology

Origin of archangel

before 1000; early Middle English arc ( h ) angel < Anglo-French, Old French arc ( h ) ang ( e ) le < Late Latin archangelus < Greek archángelos; replacing Old English hēahengel; high, arch- ¹, angel

Explanation

In religious writing, an archangel is the most important angel of all, sometimes described as ranking above the regular angels. You'll come across the noun archangel if you're reading Christian, Judaic, or Islamic religious texts. In the Christian Bible, the word archangel is only used twice, once generally and once to refer to Michael, although there are many other figures in Christianity considered to be archangels. The Greek root word, arkhangelos, is made up of arkh, "first or chief," and angelos, "angel."

Example Sentences

"They built a large four-poster bed in this room and bring in their own furniture and props, in this case a large statue of the archangel," he added.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

Then, the Eastside’s aspiring archangel flew off to her night.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2024

The images were a well-known 14th-century painting of Muhammad and the archangel Gabriel by Persian scholar Rashid al-Din, and a 16th-century Ottoman Turkish illustration by Mustafa ibn Vali.

From Washington Times • Jan. 9, 2023

Such a move isn't entirely unprecedented, after all; wasn't it thrilling to see Tilda Swinton swooped in at the end of 2005's "Constantine" as the archangel Gabriel?

From Salon • Aug. 13, 2022

The archangel Gabriel and Jesus are raising the dead.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven

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• Satan