Vatican
Americannoun
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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.
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the authority and government of the pope (distinguished from theQuirinal ).
noun
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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
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( as modifier )
the Vatican Council
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the authority of the Pope and the papal curia
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( as modifier )
a Vatican edict
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Etymology
Origin of Vatican
1545–55; < Latin vātīcānus ( mōns ) Vatican (hill)
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.
The conclave was part of a bigger Vatican event that concluded with a free concert in St. Peter’s Square and a light-show of more than 3,000 drones in the night sky.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026
He also covered the 2025 papal conclave out of Vatican City.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026
Spanish media said the meeting would take place on Monday afternoon at the Vatican embassy in the Spanish capital, formally known as the apostolic nunciature.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
Almost all exorcists, at the urging of the Vatican, keep their identities secret, their role in battling the occult known only to the other priests in their diocese.
From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026
A campaign began in the papers to cancel the concordat with the Vatican.
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
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.
