1
a
Catholic
: roman catholic
Her son goes to a Catholic school.
b
usually Catholic
: of, relating to, or forming the church universal
c
usually Catholic
: of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from it
2
: comprehensive, universal
especially
: broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests
a catholic taste in music
1
: a member of a Catholic church
especially
: roman catholic
2
: a person who belongs to the universal Christian church
ca·thol·i·cize
kə-ˈthä-lə-ˌsīz
-ed/-ing/-s
often capitalized
: to make Catholic
specifically
: romanize
: to become Catholic
specifically
: romanize
Cite this Entry
“Catholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catholic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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