pontiff

[ pon-tif ]

/ ˈpɒn tɪf /

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See synonyms for pontiff on Thesaurus.com

noun

any pontifex.

any high or chief priest.

Ecclesiastical.

a bishop.
the Roman Catholic pope, the Bishop of Rome.

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Origin of pontiff

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

Words nearby pontiff

Pontian, pontianak, pontic, Pontic Mountains, pontifex, pontiff, pontific, pontifical, Pontifical College, Pontifical Mass, pontificals

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use pontiff in a sentence

In 2014, Francis said that Benedict — the first pope to step down in 700 years — had “opened a door” for other pontiffs to follow suit.
Pope Francis’s surgery adds urgency to questions about the remaining years of his papacy|Chico Harlan, Stefano Pitrelli|July 9, 2021|Washington Post
Until this week, he had never been hospitalized in his years as pontiff, according to what is publicly known.
Pope Francis’s surgery adds urgency to questions about the remaining years of his papacy|Chico Harlan, Stefano Pitrelli|July 9, 2021|Washington Post
The late pontiff is seen as a national hero in his homeland for supporting the pro-democracy movement that overthrew the communist government in 1989.
The Unorthodox Priest Leading Poland's Fight for LGBTQ Rights|Madeline Roache|June 18, 2021|Time
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published it less than five months after the pontiff publicly endorsed civil unions for same-sex couples.
Vatican says Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions|Michael K. Lavers|March 15, 2021|Washington Blade

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
The pontiff blasts the selfishness, arrogance and detachment of the cardinals in Rome.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With more threats than ever on the Vatican, is the pontiff making a dangerous mistake?
Is The Pope Unprotected Now That He’s Fired the Head of the Swiss Guards?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was released in 2010, and now wants to meet Pope Francis when the pontiff visits Turkey next week.
The Pope’s Risky Trip|Barbie Latza Nadeau|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
First, in his opening remarks yesterday, the pontiff towed a much more conservative line than his legion of new fans might expect.
Is Pope Francis Backpedaling on Gays?|Jay Michaelson|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Leo II, pope, died; an able and resolute pontiff; established the kiss of peace at the mass, and the use of holy water.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
In the article on "China" it will be seen that the emperor is the chief pontiff, and that the worship is august and simple.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
Far and wide over that mighty throng the pontiff threw his voice, clear as a trumpet, yet musical and soulful.
God Wills It!|William Stearns Davis
But the youth and inexperience of Riaro excused the enormity of a crime perpetrated under the sanction of the supreme pontiff.
Rule of the Monk|Giuseppe Garibaldi
The new pontiff-king had effected many innovations in religious ceremonies.
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 5|Hubert Howe Bancroft

British Dictionary definitions for pontiff

pontiff

/ (ˈpɒntɪf) /

noun

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

Word Origin for pontiff

C17: from French pontife, from Latin pontifex

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

Cultural definitions for pontiff

pontiff

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.

pontiff

Origin of pontiff

Words nearby pontiff

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How to use pontiff in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pontiff

Word Origin for pontiff

Cultural definitions for pontiff