Vatican

[ vat-i-kuhn ]

/ ˈvæt ɪ kən /

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See synonyms for Vatican on Thesaurus.com

noun

Also called Vatican Palace. the chief residence of the popes in Vatican City, now also including a library, archives, art museum, apartments, and administrative offices.

the authority and government of the pope (distinguished from the Quirinal).

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Origin of Vatican

1545–55; <Latin vātīcānus (mōns) Vatican (hill)

Words nearby Vatican

vastus, vasty, vat, vat dye, vatic, Vatican, Vatican City, Vatican City State, Vatican Council, Vatican II, Vaticanism

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

How to use Vatican in a sentence

Although Catholic officials have apologized, conducted investigations and paid reparations to victims or their families, the Vatican has never issued a formal apology.
The Native Americans Changing the World|Nick Fouriezos|March 17, 2021|Ozy
The Vatican on Monday said the Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions.
Vatican says Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions|Michael K. Lavers|March 15, 2021|Washington Blade
Weighing those facts, the Vatican and many prominent Catholic leaders nonetheless encouraged vaccination, but it was not uncommon for conservative Christians to worry that the vaccines were morally tainted.
They’re worried their mom is becoming a conspiracy theorist. She thinks they’re the ones living in a fantasy world.|Jose Del Real|March 12, 2021|Washington Post
Lots of response to Monday’s post about the new Council for Inclusive Capitalism with the Vatican—not all of it supportive.
The business community is tackling diversity with new seriousness|Alan Murray|December 11, 2020|Fortune

The founding members of the Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism with the Vatican comprises large corporations like Bank of America, BP, Estée Lauder, EY, Johnson & Johnson, Mastercard, Merck, Salesforce, and Visa.
Pope Francis is backing a new movement to redefine capitalism as a force for good|Anne Quito|December 8, 2020|Quartz
Angelina Jolie was able to seemingly glide into the Vatican on Thursday to present her new film ‘Unbroken.’
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Lee and Coogan did briefly meet with the pope, with pictures to prove it, but no one at the Vatican officially screened the film.
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Undeterred by the snub in November, and denied a visa to Italy, Agca made plans for clandestine travel to Vatican City.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He has put flowers on the tomb of John Paul II,” said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, “I think that is enough.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His words apply not only to the Roman Curia at the Vatican but to the entire Church throughout the world.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many of these have been plundered and lost; but still a very interesting collection exists in the Vatican Library.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
It lay at the foot of the Vatican hill, but we know little more of it than that it was the smallest of the three.
The Private Life of the Romans|Harold Whetstone Johnston
He studied so hard in the Vatican, that he took a chill in the cold rooms, which left him all his life a little deaf.
The History of Modern Painting, Volume 1 (of 4)|Richard Muther
They were finally recovered in a faded condition and are now in the Vatican.
Great Artists, Vol 1.|Jennie Ellis Keysor
The Sistine Chapel was the most beautiful apartment in the Vatican.
Great Artists, Vol 1.|Jennie Ellis Keysor

British Dictionary definitions for Vatican

Vatican

/ (ˈvætɪkən) /

noun

the palace of the popes in Rome and their principal residence there since 1377, which includes administrative offices, a library, museum, etc, and is attached to the basilica of St Peter's
(as modifier)the Vatican Council

the authority of the Pope and the papal curia
(as modifier)a Vatican edict

Word Origin for Vatican

C16: from Latin Vāticānus mons Vatican hill, on the western bank of the Tiber, of Etruscan origin

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