archbishop

[ ahrch-bish-uhp ]

noun

1. a bishop of the highest rank who presides over an archbishopric or archdiocese.

archbishop

/ ˈɑːtʃˈbɪʃəp /

noun

1. a bishop of the highest rank AbbreviationabpAbpArchArchbp

Word History and Origins

Origin of archbishop¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English arcebisceop ( arce- arch- ¹ + bisceop bishop ), modeled on Late Latin archiepiscopus < Greek archiepískopos; replacing Old English hēahbisceop ( high )

Example Sentences

"The Anglican church in Cape Town in which John Smyth worshipped… has reported that it never received any reports suggesting he abused or groomed young people," Thabo Makgoba, the archbishop of Cape Town, said in statement responding to this week's resignation of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury.

From BBC

He and Chase “go way back,” competing as kids before they both attended Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, La., where Fulton was a star junior cornerback when Chase arrived as a dynamic freshman.

From Los Angeles Times

Whatever skill set Archbishop Welby may have had, in not doing enough on the important issue of safeguarding through rigorously pursuing abuse cases when they were brought to his attention and ensuring others did the same, much trust in the Church was lost.

From BBC

Among them, there will be relief that Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has stepped aside as someone who had lost credibility on the issue which would make it difficult to sanction other clergy for not doing enough.

From BBC

Early in his tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury, he was credited with helping usher through the vote that allowed women to become bishops, being supportive of the move through often tempestuous division.

From BBC

Related Words

• bishop
• chaplain
• cleric
• evangelist
• missionary
• pastor
• pontiff
• preacher
• priest
• rabbi