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 lawsuits say the archdiocese received credible allegations about the abuse and did nothing to stop it. — Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 The archdiocese settled an allegation against Clemens in 2022, the Tribune reported at the time. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 The Chicago archdiocese recognized Rubey's work this year by dedicating in his honor a memorial to the lives lost to suicide and their surviving families. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 The Chicago archdiocese recognized Rubey’s work this year by dedicating in his honor a memorial to the lives lost to suicide and their surviving families. — Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 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 20 Oct. 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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