autocephalous

1 of 2

adjective

au·​to·​ceph·​a·​lous ˌȯ-tō-ˈse-f(ə-)ləs How to pronounce autocephalous (audio)
: independent of external and especially patriarchal authority
—used especially of Eastern national churches
autocephaly
ˌȯ-tō-ˈse-fə-lē How to pronounce autocephalous (audio)
noun

autocephaly

2 of 2

noun

au·​to·​ceph·​a·​ly ¦ȯ-tō-¦se-fə-lē How to pronounce autocephaly (audio)
plural -es
: the state of being autocephalous

Examples of autocephalous 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.
Adjective
The ongoing invasion has spurred Orthodox bishops to separate from the patriarchate of Moscow and begin operating autocephalous episcopal sees. — Fox News, 4 June 2022 Kirill still claims jurisdiction over all of Ukraine despite the establishment, in Kyiv, of a nationwide autocephalous church in 2018. — Nr Editors, National Review, 17 Mar. 2022 The fight for an autocephalous, or independent, church is a long and divisive history and so theologically labyrinthine that scholars disagree on major points. — Alexander Thompson, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2022 Each autocephalous church has its own head, or kephale in Greek. — J. Eugene Clay, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2022 See All Example Sentences for autocephalous

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Greek autoképhalos (from Greek auto- auto- + -kephalos, adjective derivative of kephalḗ "head") + -ous — more at cephalic

Noun

Late Latin autocephalia, from Late Greek autokephalos + Latin -ia -y

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1754, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of autocephalous was circa 1754

Rhymes for autocephalous

See All Rhymes for autocephalous

Browse Nearby Words

autocephalicity
autocephalous
autocephaly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Autocephalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autocephalous. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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