papa

[ pah-puh, puh-pah ]

noun

1. father.
2. Papa, a code word used in communications, especially by radio, to represent the letter P.

papa

¹

/ pəˈpɑː /

noun

1. old-fashioned.
   an informal word for father

papa

²

/ ˈpɑːpa /

noun

1. rare. a soft blue-grey clay of marine siltstone or sandstone

Papa

³

/ ˈpɑːpɑː /

noun

1. communications a code word for the letter p

papa

⁴

/ ˈpɑːpɑː /

noun

1. RC Church another name for the pope 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of papa¹

First recorded in 1675–85; from French; Middle French pappa (nursery word); compare Latin pāpa “father” ( pope ), Old Norse pāpi, pabbi “father”; pap ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of papa¹

C17: from French, a children's word for father; compare Late Latin pāpa, Greek pappa

Origin of papa²

Māori

Origin of papa³

C16: from Italian

Example Sentences

“He was the most amazing husband, father, papa and actor. He loved performing for the ‘Days’ audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew, and production team in the business.

From Los Angeles Times

She recounted how he asked to be called "papa" in private.

From BBC

She said Fayed "behaved like a father figure", told her to call him "papa", and "often spoke about his family and children, as if to make me feel safe around him."

From BBC

“A hamster. Maybe it’s a present for me, as well. I think my papa will enjoy it, too.”

From Literature

Nearby, Jazmin Vargas sat at a table enjoying chorizo con papas with her children, sister and niece.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dad