pontiff

noun

pon·tiff ˈpän-təf

: pontifex

: bishop

specifically, often Pontiff : pope sense 1

Examples of pontiff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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The new pontiff, who took the name Pope John Paul I, died just over a month later. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 In the video, McConaughey and Alves were greeted by Pope Leo as the pontiff made his way through the church to speak with attendees. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026 Earlier this year, Leo made history by becoming the first pontiff to publicly acknowledge and apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in slavery. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 It has been renamed the Pope Francis Pier in honor of a visit the late pontiff made here in 2013. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pontiff

Word History

Etymology

French pontif, from Latin pontific-, pontifex

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of pontiff was in 1552

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Browse Nearby Words

pontifex

pontiff

pontific

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Pontiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pontiff. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pontiff

noun

pon·tiff ˈpänt-əf

: bishop sense 1

especially, often capitalized : pope

pontifical

pän-ˈtif-i-kəl

adjective

pontiff

noun

Examples of pontiff in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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