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

See Examples For:

encyclical

The pope has spoken about the challenges and opportunities of the digital age for the young and devoted his first encyclical -- a sort of papal manifesto -- to artificial intelligence.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

In his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” Pope Leo XIV frames the future of artificial intelligence as a choice between two construction projects.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

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

“Magnifica Humanitas,” Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, is about artificial intelligence and arrives at a moment of genuine civilizational anxiety.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

The Bishop complied with his wishes, and put forth an encyclical letter enjoining the people to bestir themselves in defence of their country and their religion.

From The Canadian Portrait Gallery - Volumes 1 to 4 by Dent, John Charles