bishop

noun

bish·​op ˈbi-shəp How to pronounce bishop (audio)
plural bishops
1
: someone having spiritual or ecclesiastical supervision over others: such as
a
: an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyperson ranking above a priest, having authority to ordain and confirm, and typically governing a diocese
b
: any of various Protestant clerical officials who superintend other clergy
c
: a Mormon high priest presiding over a ward or over all other bishops and over the Aaronic priesthood
2
: either of two pieces of each color in a set of chessmen having the power to move diagonally across any number of adjoining unoccupied squares
3
: mulled port wine flavored with oranges and cloves

Examples of bishop in a Sentence

the Bishop of New York
Recent Examples on the Web Creech was allowed to wear a crucifix during the procedure, and the bishop was allowed to rest his hand on his shoulder throughout the process. Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2024 In a Catholic diocese, a cathedral serves as the bishop's home church and the site of important religious events for the diocese such as the ordination of new priests and the annual Chrism Mass, where the oils used in sacraments throughout the diocese are blessed, traditionally on Holy Thursday. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 The bishops urged radical change: Grant priestly powers to married men, breaking with the bedrock tenet of clerical celibacy, and increase the reach of the cloth. Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 17 Feb. 2024 In the autumn of 2019, scores of bishops from the Amazon forest traveled to Rome with an urgent warning for Pope Francis: The Catholic Church was losing its hold on the region. Bishop Sand, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2024 In Ireland, her affair with a bishop rocked the Catholic Church. Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2024 In the Latin text, three archbishops and 15 bishops guarantee the efficacy of the indulgence. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024 The bishop, Grigory Mikhnov-Vaitenko, planned to conduct the prayer near the city’s Solovetsky Stone, a monument similar to the one in Moscow. Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Annie Murphy, a young American woman, gave birth to a son fathered by an Irish bishop decades ago. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bishop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bisshop, from Old English bisceop, from Late Latin episcopus, from Greek episkopos, literally, overseer, from epi- + skeptesthai to look — more at spy

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bishop was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bishop

Cite this Entry

“Bishop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bishop. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bishop

noun
bish·​op ˈbish-əp How to pronounce bishop (audio)
1
: a high-ranking member of various sects of the Christian clergy usually in charge of a diocese
2
: a chess piece that moves diagonally
Etymology

Old English bisceop "bishop," from Latin episcopus (same meaning), from Greek episkopos, literally, "overseer," from epi- "on, over" and skopos "watcher, goal, object" — related to episcopal, horoscope, scope

Word Origin
The Old English word bisceop, from which we get our modern English word bishop, comes to us from the Latin word episcopus. Like many other Latin words connected with religion and the church, this was borrowed from Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written. The Greek word episkopos, meaning literally "overseer," was first used of officials in government and later came to be used for church leaders. In the Bible the word meaning "bishop" and the word meaning "priest" were used for the same thing. It was not until much later that the bishop did indeed become overseer of a large district, or diocese.

Biographical Definition

Bishop 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Bish·​op ˈbi-shəp How to pronounce Bishop (audio)
Elizabeth 1911–1979 American poet

Bishop

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

J(ohn) Michael 1936–     American microbiologist
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