Catholic Church

American  

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. a visible society of baptized Christians professing the same faith under the authority of the invisible head (Christ) and the authority of the visible head (the pope and the bishops in communion with him).

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Catholic Church British  

noun

1. short for Roman Catholic Church

2. any of several Churches claiming to have maintained continuity with the ancient and undivided Church

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Catholic Church Cultural  

1. A common abbreviation for the name of the Roman Catholic Church.

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Etymology

Origin of Catholic Church

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Hyper-traditionalist Catholics sometimes use it to mean a return to strength of the old Catholic Church.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

The State Department has also coordinated humanitarian aid missions with the Catholic Church.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

"He had aura, the Pope had aura," says Harry Clark on meeting the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Leo XIV.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

“The Catholic Church in particular has a strong immigrant base. I think Pope Leo had to take a stand on that.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

Maggie studied with a priest and joined the Catholic Church on August 15, 1858.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock