noun
pontiff
PON-tihf
Pontiff (noun) means the Pope, as head of the Roman Catholic Church. Example: “The pontiff addressed crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square.”
noun
1
The Pope, as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
"The pontiff addressed crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square."
2
More broadly, the chief leader or highest priest of any religion.
"The ancient city had its own pontiff overseeing temple rites."
How to use pontiff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal word for the Pope, or any supreme religious leader.
Common pairings
the Roman pontiff
address by the pontiff
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Word forms
- Plural
- pontiffs
Fill the gap
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The _____ addressed crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Etymology
From Middle French pontife, from Latin pontifex, originally a member of Rome's chief college of priests.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “pontiff” mean?
The word “pontiff” means the Pope, as head of the Roman Catholic Church. In plain terms, a formal word for the Pope, or any supreme religious leader.
How do you pronounce “pontiff”?
“Pontiff” is pronounced PON-tihf (/ˈpɒntɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “pontiff” in a sentence?
Here is “pontiff” used in a sentence: “The pontiff addressed crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square.”
What part of speech is “pontiff”?
“Pontiff” is a noun.
Where does the word “pontiff” come from?
The word “pontiff” comes from Latin. From Middle French pontife, from Latin pontifex, originally a member of Rome's chief college of priests.
How many meanings does “pontiff” have?
“Pontiff” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the Pope, as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
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