encyclical

American  

[en-sik-li-kuhl, -sahy-kli-] / ɛnˈsɪk lɪ kəl, -ˈsaɪ klɪ- /

Also encyclic

noun

1. Roman Catholic Church. a letter addressed by the pope to all the bishops of the church.

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adjective

1. (of a letter) intended for wide or general circulation; general.

encyclical British  

/ ɛnˈsɪklɪkəl /

noun

1. a letter sent by the pope to all Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world

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adjective

1. (of letters) intended for general or wide circulation

encyclical Cultural  

1. A letter from the pope to the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, in which he lays down policy on religious, moral, or political issues.

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Etymology

Origin of encyclical

1610–20; < Late Latin encyclicus (< Greek enkýklios, with -icus -ic for -ios, equivalent to en- en- ² + kýkl ( os ) circle, cycle + -ios adj. suffix) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

So what did the Chicago Pope actually say, what was he doing with his encyclical, and what’s an encyclical anyway?

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

Pope Leo’s first encyclical makes the moral case for humanity against ungoverned AI.

From Slate • May 28, 2026

The encyclical praises entrepreneurial initiative as a worthy vocation and recognizes the enormous potential of innovation to alleviate suffering and expand opportunity.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

The Pope's apology was delivered in what is known as a encyclical - technically a letter to Catholic bishops, but which over recent decades have been how a pontiff passes on messages to the world.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Nor did it show any sympathy with the appeal of the pope, who in his encyclical letter, Vehementer nos, addressed to the French cardinals on the 11th of February, denounced the Separation Law.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 7 "Fox, George" to "France" by Various