diocesan

noun

di·​oc·​e·​san dī-ˈä-sə-sən How to pronounce diocesan (audio)
 also  ˈdī-ə-ˌsē-sᵊn
plural diocesans
Synonyms of diocesannext
: a bishop having jurisdiction over a diocese

Examples of diocesan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The diocesan website includes a statement from Dallas Bishop Edward Burns connecting the need for social distancing with the story of the Good Samaritan. — David Tarrant, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2020 In the Catholic Church, this is generally a time of the year when dioceses ask their members to donate to annual bishops’ Lenten appeals, which fund diocesan operations. — Nicholas Rowan, Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin diocēsānus, dioecēsānus, noun derivative of Late Latin dioecēsānus, adjective, "of a civil or ecclesiastical diocesis," from diocēsis, dioecēsis "administrative district, diocese" + Latin -ānus -an entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diocesan was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Dinwiddie
diocesan
diocesan conference
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Cite this Entry

“Diocesan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diocesan. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

diocesan

1 of 2 adjective
di·​oc·​e·​san
dī-ˈäs-ə-sən
: of or relating to a diocese

diocesan

2 of 2 noun
: a bishop having authority over a diocese

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