noun
metropolitan
A bishop with authority over a church province.
The metropolitan meets with the bishops of his church province.
Etymology
A metropolis was a mother city or principal city. The bishop of such a city acquired authority over the surrounding ecclesiastical province, giving the title its church sense.
More examples
- The newly appointed metropolitan oversees several dioceses.
- Bishops from across the province gather at the metropolitan's invitation.
- Two metropolitans attend the council with bishops from their provinces.
Forms
metropolitan · metropolitans
Similar words
- archbishop
- May head a church province or hold an honorary title.
- bishop
- Leads a diocese, not necessarily an entire church province.