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

We will know more about the explicit course of Catholic thought on AI if Leo issues a much-rumored encyclical on the topic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

He is particularly known for issuing an encyclical - a letter sent to bishops of the Church - called "Rerum Novarum", a Latin expression which means "Of New Things".

From BBC • May 9, 2025

Obituaries from several major newspapers, including this one, either ignored or only made passing reference to his encyclical.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

Another session used a papal encyclical to “highlight the tension and possibility inherent in Christians in political vocations.”

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2024

On February 11, 1906, he addressed to the hierarchy and people of France his encyclical "Vehementer Nos."

From The War Upon Religion Being an Account of the Rise and Progress of Anti-christianism in Europe by Cunningham, Francis A. (Francis Aloysius)