papa

American  

[pah-puh, puh-pah] / ˈpɑ pə, pəˈpɑ /

noun

1. father.

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

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Papa ¹ British  

/ ˈpɑːpɑː /

noun

1. communications a code word for the letter p

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papa ² British  

/ pəˈpɑː /

noun

1. old-fashioned an informal word for father

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papa ³ British  

/ ˈpɑːpɑː /

noun

1. RC Church another name for the pope 1

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papa ⁴ British  

/ ˈpɑːpa /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of papa

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

Example Sentences

The dozen younger alpacas around them lowered their heads as their papa alpaca stomped on the mound of grass.

From Literature

Her mama and papa had died when she was eighteen, and she stayed on the farm, keeping a few animals, selling herbs like Violet and I do.

From Literature

“He will teach you. And you will learn. That is how it was with me and your papa. I am grateful he was chosen for me. He has been a good husband.”

From Literature

This might come as a shock to your mama and papa, since your family was friends with us Warnes for so long.

From Literature

Hebel characterized Morrison as “very much like a papa bear, a protector” who was very close to Sheina, his only child.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dad