papa
noun
papa
American
[pah-puh, puh-pah]
/ ˈpɑ pə, pəˈpɑ /
noun
-
Papa, a code word used in communications, especially by radio, to represent the letter P.
Papa
1
British
/ ˈpɑːpɑː /
noun
papa
2
British
/ pəˈpɑː /
noun
papa
3
British
/ ˈpɑːpɑː /
noun
papa
4
British
/ ˈpɑːpa /
noun
Etymology
Origin of papa
First recorded in 1675–85; from French; Middle French pappa (nursery word); compare Latin pāpa “father” ( see pope), Old Norse pāpi, pabbi “father”; see pap 1
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.
For the first quarter, Papa John’s posted a profit of $7.26 million, or 21 cents a share, down from $9.22 million, or 27 cents a share, a year earlier.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
Acoustic Christmas had several bands that hit quite a while ago: Papa Roach, All-American Rejects, Evanescence.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026
Pizza brands like Papa John’s and Pizza Hut that bought NFTs for promotional purposes likewise failed to see their value appreciate.
From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026
It began as a film about a maverick artist who'd established a winter arts festival on the tiny Scottish island of Papa Westray.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
When Papa shouted “Snake!” my old heart jumped clear up in my throat.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
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.
