pontiff

noun
UK: /ˈpɒntɪf/
US: /ˈpɑːntɪf/

  1. The Pope, especially when considered as the head of the Catholic Church.

    1. The pontiff gave a speech to the crowd.
    2. The pontiff's visit was a major event for the local Catholic community.

  2. A bishop.

    1. The pontiff celebrated mass in the cathedral.
    2. Several pontiffs attended the ecumenical council to discuss church matters.

Synonyms

pope bishop

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "pontiff" in English means: The Pope, especially when considered as the head of the Catholic Church., A bishop..

The phonetic transcription of "pontiff" is /ˈpɒntɪf/ in British English and /ˈpɑːntɪf/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "pontiff": pope, bishop.

Example usage of "pontiff": "The pontiff gave a speech to the crowd.". More examples on the page.