Archbishop
/ˈɑːrtʃbɪʃəp/
nounIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
A bishop of the highest rank, usually having authority over several other bishops.
/ˈɑːrtʃbɪʃəp/
nounneutralIntermediate
General
A high-ranking bishop
The archbishop presided over the ceremony.
💡 Simply: The most important bishop in a region.
More Examples
2
He was appointed archbishop of Canterbury.
How It's Used
Religion
"The archbishop delivered a powerful sermon on Sunday."
From Old English *ercebiscop, from Latin *archiepiscopus, from Greek ἀρχιεπίσκοπος (arkhiepískopos), from ἀρχι- (arkhi-, "chief") + ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos, "bishop").
The title has been in use since the early centuries of Christianity.
Memory tip
Arch- means 'chief' or 'principal,' so an archbishop is the chief bishop.
Practice
Base: bishop
archbishioparchbisshoparcbishop
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written