noun
Common
archbishop
ahch-BIH-shuhp
Archbishop (noun) means a senior bishop who leads an archdiocese and oversees several other dioceses. Example: “The archbishop gave a short blessing at the cathedral service.”
noun
1
A senior bishop who leads an archdiocese and oversees several other dioceses.
"The archbishop gave a short blessing at the cathedral service."
"Every archbishop in the region attended the meeting about church schools."
"The Archbishop of Canterbury leads the Church of England."
How to use archbishop
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bishop of the highest rank, in charge of a group of dioceses.
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Word forms
- Plural
- archbishops
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The _____ gave a short blessing at the cathedral service.
Etymology
From Greek arkhiepiskopos, from arkhi-, "chief", plus episkopos, "overseer" — the root of "bishop".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for archbishop
See all rhymes for archbishop →Frequently asked questions
What does “archbishop” mean?
The word “archbishop” means a senior bishop who leads an archdiocese and oversees several other dioceses. In plain terms, a bishop of the highest rank, in charge of a group of dioceses.
How do you pronounce “archbishop”?
“Archbishop” is pronounced ahch-BIH-shuhp (/ˌɑː(ɹ)t͡ʃˈbɪʃəp/ in IPA).
How do you use “archbishop” in a sentence?
Here is “archbishop” used in a sentence: “The Archbishop of Canterbury leads the Church of England.”
What part of speech is “archbishop”?
“Archbishop” is a noun.
Where does the word “archbishop” come from?
The word “archbishop” comes from Greek. From Greek arkhiepiskopos, from arkhi-, "chief", plus episkopos, "overseer" — the root of "bishop".
Is “archbishop” a common word?
“Archbishop” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between an archbishop and a bishop?
A bishop leads a single diocese, while an archbishop is a senior bishop who leads an archdiocese and oversees several other dioceses and their bishops. This makes the archbishop's role broader in authority and geographic responsibility than that of an ordinary bishop.
What is the difference between an archbishop and a cardinal?
An archbishop's role is defined by leading an archdiocese and supervising other dioceses, while a cardinal is a senior church official appointed to advise the pope and, in the Roman Catholic Church, to help elect new popes. Some archbishops are also made cardinals, but the two titles reflect different responsibilities.
How is the title archbishop used before a name?
Archbishop is used as a formal title placed directly before a person's name, such as "Archbishop Smith," similar to how "Bishop" or "Dr." are used. It is capitalized when used as part of someone's formal title.
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