papal

adjective

pa·​pal ˈpā-pəl How to pronounce papal (audio)
: of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church
also : resembling a pope or that of a pope
papally adverb

Examples of papal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The papal conclave also includes Stanley Tucci, Sergio Castellitto, Lucian Msamati, and John Lithgow. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2024 Watching this film is as close as most travelers will ever get to the papal conclave. Caroline Reilly, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2024 But an outspoken liberal (Stanley Tucci) has trouble winning votes, and the resulting action involves deft coalition-building and the papal equivalent of October surprises. The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024 Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence, a papal dignitary who, upon the death of the big boss, the Holy Father, is responsible for gathering all the word’s cardinals at the Vatican to elect a replacement. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for papal 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin papalis, from Late Latin papa

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of papal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near papal

Cite this Entry

“Papal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papal. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

papal

adjective
pa·​pal ˈpā-pəl How to pronounce papal (audio)
: of or relating to the pope or the papacy
papally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on papal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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