Standard Lemma guide

pontifex

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˈpɒn.təˌfɛks/
  • General-American: /ˈpɒn.tɪˌfɛks/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A pontiff, state minister, or high priest, in Ancient Rome.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a member of the highest council of priests in ancient Rome

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: priest

History

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin pontifex. Doublet of pontiff.