name
Pilate
PEYE-luht
Pilate (name) means Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who, according to the Bible, ordered the crucifixion of Jesus. Example: “Pilate famously washed his hands to signal he would take no responsibility for the decision.”
name
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Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who, according to the Bible, ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.
"Pilate famously washed his hands to signal he would take no responsibility for the decision."
How to use Pilate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe Roman official from the New Testament associated with the trial of Jesus.
Common pairings
Pontius Pilate
wash one's hands like Pilate
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more pilate
- Superlative
- most pilate
Fill the gap
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_____ famously washed his hands to signal he would take no responsibility for the decision.
Etymology
From Latin Pilatus, a Roman family name literally meaning "armed with javelins," from pilum ("javelin" or "pestle").
Rhymes for Pilate
See all rhymes for Pilate →Frequently asked questions
What does “Pilate” mean?
The word “Pilate” means pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who, according to the Bible, ordered the crucifixion of Jesus. In plain terms, the Roman official from the New Testament associated with the trial of Jesus.
How do you pronounce “Pilate”?
“Pilate” is pronounced PEYE-luht (/ˈpaɪlət/ in IPA).
How do you use “Pilate” in a sentence?
Here is “Pilate” used in a sentence: “Pilate famously washed his hands to signal he would take no responsibility for the decision.”
What part of speech is “Pilate”?
“Pilate” is a name.
Where does the word “Pilate” come from?
The word “Pilate” comes from Latin. From Latin Pilatus, a Roman family name literally meaning "armed with javelins," from pilum ("javelin" or "pestle").
