a person who supervises a number of local churches or a diocese, being in the Greek, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other churches a member of the highest order of the ministry.
a spiritual supervisor, overseer, or the like.
Chess. one of two pieces of the same color that may be moved any unobstructed distance diagonally, one on white squares and the other on black.
a hot drink made of port wine, oranges, cloves, etc.
Also called bishop bird. any of several colorful African weaverbirds of the genus Euplectes, often kept as pets.
Elizabeth, 1911–79, U.S. poet.
Hazel Gladys, 1906–1998, U.S. chemist and businesswoman.
John Peale, 1892–1944, U.S. poet and essayist.
Morris (Gilbert), 1893–1973, U.S. humorist, poet, and biographer.
William Avery Billy, 1894–1956, Canadian aviator: helped to establish Canadian air force.
(in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Greek Orthodox Churches) a clergyman having spiritual and administrative powers over a diocese or province of the Church See also suffragan
(in some Protestant Churches) a spiritual overseer of a local church or a number of churches
a chesspiece, capable of moving diagonally over any number of unoccupied squares of the same colour
mulled wine, usually port, spiced with oranges, cloves, etc
before 900; Middle English; Old English bisc ( e ) op < Vulgar Latin *ebiscopus, for Late Latin episcopus < Greek epískopos overseer, equivalent to epi- epi- + skopós watcher; see scope
A bishop is a religious authority figure in some Christian churches. In many churches, a bishop ordains, or appoints, ministers and priests. In Christian traditions ranging from Roman Catholic to Lutheran, bishops play an important role in church oversight. In many orthodox and Catholic churches, bishops are believed to be the successors to the original twelve apostles from the Bible's New Testament. The chess piece called the bishop comes from this religious figure, and the word itself comes from the Greek episkopos, "watcher or overseer."
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“When Mexico plays, many fans pray to the Virgin of Guadalupe to help them push the ball,” said Francisco Acero, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mexico, who blessed the renovated stadium this year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026
The brotherhood was founded in 1970 by Lefebvre, a French bishop.
From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026
Now as a bishop, with a Church commitment to tangibly repent for its past sins, she felt the institution was starting to better represent the Church her mother and many others had stayed loyal to.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026
Separately, a former minister from another Church of Ireland parish in east Belfast detailed what he believed to be a further safeguarding concern involving the bishop of the diocese David McClay.
From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026
The bishop said I should treat myself to something, but I said I couldn’t, I had to save the money.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
He is still officially Britain's Strongest Man after winning the title for a fourth time in February, beating Adam Bishop and Paddy Haynes.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
Bishop said he doesn’t necessarily discourage clients from holding company stock, but advises them to think about it hard.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
It was probably commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux -- William's half-brother -- in 1077 to decorate the new cathedral in his hometown, Bayeux, according to the tapestry's home museum.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
“Whatever is asked for in Mexico, it’s always asked of the Virgin of Guadalupe,” said Acero, the Auxiliary Bishop.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026
I did not say anything to Cade Hernandez about meeting Julia Bishop.
From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith
The Vatican declared a formal schism with the Society of St. Pius X, excommunicating its bishops and priests for consecrating four bishops without papal consent.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
The Vatican has declared a formal schism with the Society of St. Pius X, excommunicating its bishops and priests in a sweeping crackdown on a traditionalist group that has vexed the Holy See for decades.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
But ordaining bishops without the Pope's consent is regarded as a serious violation of the unity of the Church.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
Decades after triggering a rift with the Vatican by consecrating bishops in 1988, the Society of Saint Pius X is doing it again on Wednesday in defiance of Pope Leo XIV.
From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026
Did Uncle Jack say that or was it one of his old bishops?
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee
All over the country the farmers and horse-dealers knew that neither Jasper nor Panuel ever bishoped a gry, or indulged in any other horse-dealing tricks.
From Aylwin by Watts-Dunton, Theodore
In that county burnt milk is still said to be "bishoped."
From In a Green Shade A Country Commentary by Hewlett, Maurice Henry
He would be bishoped here, and bishoped there, before the eyes of all palatial men and women, till life would be a burden to him.
From The Last Chronicle of Barset by Trollope, Anthony
His method was by no means soft; on the contrary, it was hard, rapid, severe,—somewhat on the model of Tryggveson's, though with more of bishoping and preaching superadded.
From Early Kings of Norway by Carlyle, Thomas
The archdeacon knew his subject and really understood the business of bishoping, which the others did not, and this was his strong ground.
From Barchester Towers by Trollope, Anthony
The archdeacon knew his subject, and really understood the business of bishoping, which the others did not.
From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 08 — Fiction by Mee, Arthur
The archdeacon knew his subject, and really understood the business of bishoping, which the others did not; and this was his strong ground.
From Barchester Towers by Trollope, Anthony
Have not our Conformists in Scotland hitherto commonly omitted bishoping of children, and the ministration of the sacraments in private places?
From The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) by Gillespie, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
