papal
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to the pope or the papacy.
a papal visit to Canada.
-
of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- antipapal adjective
- nonpapal adjective
- papally adverb
- pseudopapal adjective
- unpapal adjective
Etymology
Origin of papal
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word pāpālis. See pope, -al 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.
In the first papal trip to Monaco in modern times, Leo will meet Prince Albert II and take a tour in his popemobile, before holding a mass in the local stadium.
From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026
The visit to the principality on the French riviera will take place on March 28 and will be the first papal trip to the city state in modern times.
From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026
Bookmakers outside of the U.S. have long offered wagers on elections, sports and even papal conclaves.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026
Mets owner Steven Cohen even posted Thursday evening on X, making reference to smoke appearing during papal elections, a sign that Tucker’s signing appeared imminent.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026
In Silvester the Second a famous magician ascended the papal throne, although he was notorious for having invented the pendulum dock.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
