monsignor

noun

mon·​si·​gnor män-ˈsē-nyər How to pronounce monsignor (audio)
mən-
plural monsignors or monsignori ˌmän-ˌsēn-ˈyȯr-ē How to pronounce monsignor (audio)
Synonyms of monsignornext
: a Roman Catholic prelate having a dignity or titular distinction (as of domestic prelate or protonotary apostolic) usually conferred by the pope
—used as a title prefixed to the surname or to the given name and surname
monsignorial
ˌmän-ˌsēn-ˈyȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce monsignor (audio)
adjective

Examples of monsignor 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 plot revolves around a young priest (Josh O'Connor) who's accused of killing the monsignor (Josh Brolin). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025 When the monsignor fell to the floor, Sharp then used a radio frequency remote control to unleash the fake blood, creating the illusion that the monsignor had collapsed because he was stabbed. — Yasmeen Hamadeh, PEOPLE, 13 Dec. 2025 In 2009, he was appointed a Prelate of Honor to Pope Benedict, given the title reverend monsignor. — Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 11 Feb. 2025 This time around, the monsignor of a small-town church is found dead under mysterious circumstances, and Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is summoned to investigate. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for monsignor

Word History

Etymology

Italian monsignore, from French monseigneur

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monsignor was in 1599

Rhymes for monsignor

See All Rhymes for monsignor

Browse Nearby Words

monsieur
monsignor
Monsoni
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

monsignor

noun
mon·​si·​gnor män-ˈsē-nyər How to pronounce monsignor (audio)
mən-
plural monsignors or monsignori ˌmän-ˈsēn-ˈyōr-ē How to pronounce monsignor (audio)
-ˈyȯr-
—used as a title for Roman Catholic priests

More from Merriam-Webster on monsignor

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for monsignor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monsignor

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