papa

1 of 3

noun (1)

pa·​pa ˈpä-pə How to pronounce papa (audio)
chiefly British pə-ˈpä
variants or less commonly poppa
ˈpä-pə How to pronounce papa (audio)
Synonyms of papanext
: father

Papa

2 of 3

communications code word

Pa·​pa pə-ˈpä How to pronounce Papa (audio)
ˈpä-pə
—used as a code word for the letter p

poppa

3 of 3

noun (2)

pop·​pa ˈpä-pə How to pronounce poppa (audio)

less common spelling of papa

: father

Synonyms of papa

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Noun (1)

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Examples of papa in a Sentence

Noun (1) a proud papa of newborn twins
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.
Noun
In a time when companies are guilty of solely fostering young talent and offering legacy staff members early buyouts, aviation continues—at least at the employee level—to embrace wisdom from senior mamas and papas. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026 This after a pursuit for $10M that Lucky’s ex-husband/Priscilla’s son absconded with (and which Lucky and her papa had access to in the end). — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
As a proud poppa to a happy furbaby (Cosmos, below), that made sense. — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026 Dmitri, who has an uncanny gift for impersonation, is desperate for poppa’s approval but seems unlikely to get it by running a piano bar, even if Nikolai loves hearing him do Tony Bennett. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for papa

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French (baby talk)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1677, in the meaning defined above

Communications Code Word

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of papa was in 1677

Rhymes for papa

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Cite this Entry

“Papa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papa. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on papa

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about papa

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