archdiocese

noun

arch·​di·​o·​cese (ˌ)ärch-ˈdī-ə-səs How to pronounce archdiocese (audio)
-ˌsēs, 
-ˌsēz
plural archdioceses (ˌ)ärch-ˈdī-ə-sə-səz How to pronounce archdiocese (audio)
-ˌsē-zəz, 
-ˈdī-ə-ˌsēz
: the diocese of an archbishop
archdiocesan
ˌärch-dī-ˈä-sə-sən How to pronounce archdiocese (audio)
also -ˈdī-ə-ˌsē-sᵊn
adjective

Examples of archdiocese in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The statement added that, with permission from authorities involved in the investigation, the archdiocese had hired an independent outside firm in July to review its financial processes. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026 The agreement with the New York archdiocese would end more than seven years of lawsuits. — John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 In an email sent to priests of the archdiocese on Saturday afternoon and shared with NPR, Archbishop Ronald Hicks also said the deal had not yet been signed but that an agreement had been reached with plaintiffs and their attorneys. — Chandelis Duster, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026 Instead of conducting another general public survey, priests and key parish leaders will gather input locally, with one response from each parish sent back to the archdiocese. — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for archdiocese

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of archdiocese was in 1762

Rhymes for archdiocese

See All Rhymes for archdiocese

Browse Nearby Words

archdiocesan
archdiocese
archducal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Archdiocese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archdiocese. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

archdiocese

noun
arch·​di·​o·​cese (ˈ)ärch-ˈdī-ə-səs How to pronounce archdiocese (audio)
-ˌsēz, 
-ˌsēs
: the diocese of an archbishop
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