archbishop

noun

arch·​bish·​op (ˌ)ärch-ˈbi-shəp How to pronounce archbishop (audio)
Synonyms of archbishopnext
: a bishop at the head of an ecclesiastical province or one of equivalent honorary rank

Examples of archbishop 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.
There haven’t been any female popes, cardinals, archbishops or priests. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026 As negotiations resumed under the mediation of the Roman Catholic archbishop of Cochabamba, Tito Solari, hopes briefly rose that the monthslong conflict might finally be nearing an end. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 The mother of the former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was taken; so were an Anglican archbishop and his wife. — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Saint Agnes, a historic church founded for German-speaking immigrants in what’s now a diverse, central neighborhood in Minnesota’s capital, offers one traditional Latin Mass per weekend, with the archbishop’s permission. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for archbishop

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English arcebiscop, from Late Latin archiepiscopus, from Late Greek archiepiskopos, from archi- + episkopos bishop — more at bishop

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of archbishop was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

arch bar
archbishop
archbishopric
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Archbishop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archbishop. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

archbishop

noun
arch·​bish·​op (ˈ)ärch-ˈbish-əp How to pronounce archbishop (audio)
: the bishop of highest rank in a group of dioceses

More from Merriam-Webster on archbishop

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for archbishop

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about archbishop

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