pontificate

[noun pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt; verb pon-tif-i-keyt]

noun

the office or term of office of a pontiff.

verb (used without object), pon·tif·i·cat·ed, pon·tif·i·cat·ing.

to perform the office or duties of a pontiff.
to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner: Did he pontificate about the responsibilities of a good citizen?
to serve as a bishop, especially in a Pontifical Mass.

Origin of pontificate

1575–85; (noun) < Latin pontificātus; see pontifical, -ate³; (v.) < Medieval Latin pontificātus past participle of pontificāre to be an ecclesiastic; see -ate¹

Related formspon·tif·i·ca·tion, nounpon·tif·i·ca·tor, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for pontificating

admonish, moralize, minister, address, evangelize, lecture, teach, harangue, preach, dogmatize, pulpiteer

Examples from the Web for pontificating

Contemporary Examples of pontificating

John McCain completely wasted his shot at her, just pontificating away, looking aggreived, not accomplishing anything.
Hillary on the Hill
Michael Tomasky
January 23, 2013
We live in a 24/7 news cycle that gives every pontificating pundit and boastful blogger the chance to spin thousands of others.
How the Drudge Report, With Its Condoleezza Rice ‘Scoop,’ Again Rules the Media
Lauren Ashburn
July 15, 2012
This should give any Western pundit pause when pontificating on popular sentiment in Saudi Arabia.
Let Saudi Women Drive!
David Keyes
June 17, 2011
The Delaware primary result will be the topic of much handwringing, pontificating and consternation in coming days.
The Republicans' Silver Lining
Nicolle Wallace
September 14, 2010

Historical Examples of pontificating

A jewelled ring was always worn by a bishop, and was an essential part of his costume when pontificating.
Jewellery
H. Clifford Smith,
It is probable that each bishop had a large jewelled ring to use when pontificating.
Finger-Ring Lore
William Jones

British Dictionary definitions for pontificating

pontificate

verb (pɒnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt) (intr)

to speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic mannerAlso (less commonly): pontify (ˈpɒntɪˌfaɪ)
to serve or officiate as a pontiff, esp in celebrating a Pontifical Mass

noun (pɒnˈtɪfɪkɪt)

the office or term of office of a pontiff, now usually the pope

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

Word Origin and History for pontificating

pontificate

1818, "to act as a pontiff," from Medieval Latin pontificatus, past participle of pontificare "to be a pontifex," from Latin pontifex (see pontiff). Meaning "to assume pompous and dignified airs, issue dogmatic decrees" is from 1825. Meaning "to say (something) in a pontifical way" is from 1922. Related: Pontificated; pontificating.

pontificate

1580s, from Latin pontificatus "office of a pontiff," from pontifex (see pontifex).