Definition

A religious leader, especially the pope, who has authority in the Christian church.

Example

The pontiff addressed the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

Conversation

Did you hear the news about the new pontiff?

Yeah, I read about it yesterday!

I wonder how his leadership will change things in the church.

It'll be interesting to see how he connects with the younger generation.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Pontiff → It is derived from the Latin "pontifex" (meaning bridge-maker), which is a combination of "pons" (meaning bridge) and "facere" (meaning to make or do). The term originally referred to a priest who acted as a mediator or bridge between the divine and the human realms.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'bridge-maker' ('pontifex') who connects people to the divine, which helps you remember that a pontiff is a spiritual leader.

Visually Confused Words