papa

[ pah-puh, puh-pah ]

noun

1. father.
2. Papa, a code word used in communications, especially by radio, to represent the letter P.

papa

¹

/ ˈpɑːpɑː /

noun

1. See pope
   RC Church another name for the pope 1

papa

²

/ pəˈpɑː /

noun

1. See father
   old-fashioned.
   an informal word for father

papa

³

/ ˈpɑːpa /

noun

1. rare. a soft blue-grey clay of marine siltstone or sandstone

Papa

⁴

/ ˈpɑːpɑː /

noun

1. communications a code word for the letter p

Word History and Origins

Origin of papa¹

First recorded in 1675–85; from French; Middle French pappa (nursery word); compare Latin pāpa “father” ( pope ), Old Norse pāpi, pabbi “father”; pap ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of papa¹

C16: from Italian

Origin of papa²

C17: from French, a children's word for father; compare Late Latin pāpa, Greek pappa

Origin of papa³

Māori

Example Sentences

SEE IT Alleviate cramps, aches, and pains with this CBD balm from Papa & Barkley, which contains 180 milligrams of CBD in each jar.

From Popular-Science

It had been her papa who would tuck her in and turn off the night light.

From Washington Post

“I love you so much papa,” he wrote in an emotional Instagram tribute to his father.

From Washington Post

After the pandemic forced her out of a part-time job at Papa John’s, money has been tight.

From Washington Post

Overly proud papa awardTrump keeps saying his daughter Ivanka created 15 million jobs.

From Washington Post

The Amazon biography for an author named Papa Faal mentions both Gambia and lists a military record that matches the FBI report.

From The Daily Beast

In the background, outside, is Papa Legba, who is a Loa, the word for a Voodoo deity.

From The Daily Beast

Her demand was simple: I will not marry Loras Tyrell (i.e., the “renowned pillow-biter” to whom Papa Tywin has betrothed her).

From The Daily Beast

A Facebook photo from the event shows the manifestly proud papa beaming beside his son.

From The Daily Beast

“Like Papa,” this too made me proud that they would make such a comparison.

From The Daily Beast

Miss Smith immediately rises from the table, puts up her dear little mouth to her papa to be kissed.

From Project Gutenberg

"The worst of it is that one can't be certain of anything," said Papa, pulling his moustache.

From Project Gutenberg

But Mamma and Papa and Judy had quitted the cab, and all the luggage was being taken into the house.

From Project Gutenberg

None of his brothers or sisters was near him, and he could not hear his mamma or papa grunting near the feed trough.

From Project Gutenberg

They wanted Papa and Mamma, gone to Bombay beyond the seas, and their grief while it lasted was without remedy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dad