PONTIFICATE Definition & Meaning

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pontificate

[pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt, pon-tif-i-keyt]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the office or term of office of a pontiff.

verb (used without object)

pontificated, pontificating

to perform the office or duties of a pontiff.
to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner.
Did he pontificate about the responsibilities of a good citizen?
to serve as a bishop, especially in a Pontifical Mass.

pontificate

verb

Also (less commonly): pontify.��to speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic manner
to serve or officiate as a pontiff, esp in celebrating a Pontifical Mass

noun

the office or term of office of a pontiff, now usually the pope

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

pontification noun
pontificator noun

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of pontificate¹

First recorded in 1400–50. The noun is from Latin ��ǲԳپ��ھ��ٳܲ�, derivative of pontific- (stem of pontifex ) + -��ٳܲ� noun suffix denoting office or function; pontifex, -ate ³. The verb is from Medieval Latin ��ǲԳپ��ھ��ٳܲ�, past participle of ��ǲԳپ��ھ�� “to be an ecclesiastic”; -ate ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But several events over the next few days and weeks will give Pope Leo a further chance to sketch out the priorities of his pontificate.

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Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis made many impassioned remarks on the war in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the Strip "shamefull".

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A single, white rose was pictured lying on the stone tomb that bears the name he was known by during his pontificate, below a crucifix illuminated by a single spotlight.

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The first South American pontiff passed away on Monday aged 88, marking the end of a 12-year pontificate.

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"Near that Queen of Peace, to whom I have always turned for help and whose embrace I have sought more than a hundred times during my pontificate," he explained in his will.

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pontificals pontification

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