papal

[ pey-puhl ]

/ ˈpeɪ pəl /

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adjective

of or relating to the pope or the papacy: a papal visit to Canada.

of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of papal

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word pāpālis.See pope, -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM papal

pa·pal·ly, adverban·ti·pa·pal, adjectivenon·pa·pal, adjectivepseu·do·pa·pal, adjective

un·pa·pal, adjective

Words nearby papal

Papadopoulos, papadum, Papagayo, Papago, papain, papal, papal bull, papal cross, papal infallibility, papalism, papalize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use papal in a sentence

Indigenous communities have long called for a papal apology taking accountability for the church’s involvement.
What to Know About the Pope’s Visit to Canada and Apology to Indigenous Communities|Anisha Kohli|July 23, 2022|Time
This time, the meeting is strictly under wraps, with the Vatican issuing its own edited version of the greeting in the Vatican’s Throne Room and private discussion in the papal library.
Pope Francis and President Ignore Elephant in Room at Vatican Lovefest|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 29, 2021|The Daily Beast
The American side was vivid in detail, outlining jokes and banter and confirming that the president said “God love ya” to the pope—who presumably already knows that—as they strolled the hallowed halls of the papal palace.
Pope Francis and President Ignore Elephant in Room at Vatican Lovefest|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 29, 2021|The Daily Beast
A Vatican Media photo of the meeting, which took place in the papal library, showed that neither Francis nor the visitors were wearing masks.
Pope Francis hosts NBA players after season defined by social justice activism|Chico Harlan|November 23, 2020|Washington Post

Congress is now 92 percent Christian, resembling more to a papal enclave than our religiously diverse nation.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress|Dean Obeidallah|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But the current pontiff, for reasons one might fully understand, declined to meet the would-be papal assassin.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He held intrigue for journalists converging for the transition of papal power.
How Pope Francis Became the World’s BFF|Jason Berry|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These women interred the bodies of saints on their own properties and occasionally managed to influence papal politics.
First Anglican Woman Bishop A Return to Christian Roots|Candida Moss|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The papal view of lawmaking on Capitol Hill is unknown, but Congress you have been warned.
Pope’s Blistering Attack on ‘Haggard’ Europe|Nico Hines|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thereafter he commanded the advance guard of Victor's army which invaded the Papal States.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
They then became as staunch in the principles of the Reformation as they had previously been firm in papal policy.
The Childhood of Distinguished Women|Selina A. Bower
It is a quite common error to suppose these persecutions to have emanated from the papal power exclusively.
Gospel Philosophy|J. H. Ward
A large recess in the wall next to the Papal Crypt is thought to have held her sarcophagus.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
The last act brings us to the great hall of the papal palace at Avignon, where the Pope is to pronounce judgment upon the Queen.
Frdric Mistral|Charles Alfred Downer

British Dictionary definitions for papal

papal

/ (ˈpeɪpəl) /

adjective

of or relating to the pope or the papacy

Derived forms of papal

papally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

papal

Origin of papal

OTHER WORDS FROM papal

Words nearby papal

Words related to papal

How to use papal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for papal

Derived forms of papal