pontiff

[pon-tif]

noun

1. any pontifex.

2. any high or chief priest.

3. Ecclesiastical.

   1. a bishop.

   2. the Roman Catholic pope, the Bishop of Rome.

pontiff

/ ˈpɒntɪf /

noun

1. a former title of the pagan high priest at Rome, later used of popes and occasionally of other bishops, and now confined exclusively to the pope

pontiff

1. Another name for the pope. Pontiff comes from a Latin word, meaning “bridge builder,” that was used as a title for some of the priests of ancient Rome.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pontiff¹

1600–10; earlier pontife < French, short for Latin pontifex pontifex

Word History and Origins

Origin of pontiff¹

C17: from French pontife, from Latin _pontifex

Example Sentences

The US pontiff urged the world to rouse itself from "the fatal lethargy in which we are immersed".

Read more on Barron's

"The agreement to begin the peace process has given a spark of hope in the Holy Land," the US-born pontiff said at the end of Sunday's Angelus prayer.

Read more on Barron's

Reiterating the words of his predecessor Pope Francis, the new pontiff lambasted critics who "ridicule those who speak of global warming".

Read more on BBC

A previous official visit to the Vatican was postponed earlier this year because of the poor health of the pontiff's predecessor, Pope Francis.

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When Pope John Paul II wanted to warn President Reagan of the danger of nuclear weapons, Baltimore was one of four scientists the pontiff appointed to carry his message.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pope