Catholic Church

American  

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. a visible society of baptized Christians professing the same faith under the authority of the invisible head (Christ) and the authority of the visible head (the pope and the bishops in communion with him).

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Catholic Church British  

noun

1. short for Roman Catholic Church

2. any of several Churches claiming to have maintained continuity with the ancient and undivided Church

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Catholic Church Cultural  

1. A common abbreviation for the name of the Roman Catholic Church.

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Etymology

Origin of Catholic Church

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Then the Catholic Church sold the land to the city in the 1960s.

From Salon • May 9, 2026

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Rubio’s visit to the Vatican was long-planned and was focused on “discussing areas of mutual concern and opportunity” with the Catholic Church.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

In the seventh century, the Catholic Church enforced strict Lenten rules, prohibiting the consumption of all meat, dairy, and eggs throughout the fasting season.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

Pope Leo, the first American-born man to lead the Catholic Church, has recently returned from a trip to Africa, where he visited four nations.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

On the contrary, he had at least three legitimate ways of rising, the greatest of which was the Catholic Church.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White