ex cathedra
Americanadjective
adjective
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with authority
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RC Church (of doctrines of faith or morals) defined by the pope as infallibly true, to be accepted by all Catholics
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Figuratively, any authoritative pronouncement may be called “ex cathedra.”
Etymology
Origin of ex cathedra
First recorded in 1810–20, ex cathedra is from Latin ex cathedrā literally, “from the chair”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Popes wield such power that they can speak ex cathedra — literally, from the papal throne — to make infallible pronouncements on morality that the faithful must obey.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2025
The last time a pope issued an ex cathedra decree was in 1950, when Pius XII made the assumption of Mary into heaven an article of faith.
From Washington Post • Feb. 4, 2021
It is a conviction descended, ex cathedra, from Robert Penn Warren, in his spare masterpiece, “Tell Me a Story.”
From The New Yorker • May 20, 2019
The Catholic Church believes in papal infallibility on the very few and rare instances in which he speaks ex cathedra.
From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2018
Nor must it be forgotten that the publication of this judgment of Pope Martin fulfils all the conditions of a judgment ex cathedra.
From The Formation of Christendom, Volume VII by Allies, Thomas W.
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.
