noun
Uncommon
papacy
PAY-puh-see
Papacy (noun) means the office and authority of the pope. Example: “He was elected to the papacy after a lengthy conclave.”
noun
1
The office and authority of the pope.
"The Vatican defends the primacy of the papacy."
"He was elected to the papacy after a lengthy conclave."
2
The period during which a particular pope holds office.
"The papacy of John Paul II ended in 2005, after the pope's long battle with illness ended."
"Several major reforms took place during his papacy."
How to use papacy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe role of the pope, or the span of time a specific pope serves.
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Word forms
- Plural
- papacies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was elected to the _____ after a lengthy conclave.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin pāpātia, from Latin pāpa ("pope") + the suffix -tia.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for papacy
See all rhymes for papacy →Frequently asked questions
What does “papacy” mean?
The word “papacy” means the office and authority of the pope. In plain terms, the role of the pope, or the span of time a specific pope serves.
How do you pronounce “papacy”?
“Papacy” is pronounced PAY-puh-see (/ˈpeɪ.pə.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “papacy” in a sentence?
Here is “papacy” used in a sentence: “He was elected to the papacy after a lengthy conclave.”
What part of speech is “papacy”?
“Papacy” is a noun.
Where does the word “papacy” come from?
The word “papacy” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin pāpātia, from Latin pāpa ("pope") + the suffix -tia.
Is “papacy” a common word?
“Papacy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “papacy” have?
“Papacy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the office and authority of the pope.
