Cardinal: meaning, definitions and examples

This word specifically refers to high-ranking clergy in the Catholic Church.

• The cardinal presided over the mass.
• Cardinals from around the world gathered for the conclave.

Useful in everyday conversation when referring to the act of determining the number of items or people. Also, can be used in formal processes such as votes.

• I need to count the number of attendees.
• The election results will be announced after the vote count.

Commonly used in formal or technical contexts, such as research, documentation, or computer science, when listing items or specifying elements explicitly.

• The research paper includes an enumeration of all the variables.
• An enumeration of the features is necessary for the technical specifications.

This term is often used in communication when referring to the process of keeping a continuous and usually informal count of things or occurrences.

• The teacher kept a tally of the students’ scores.
• They tallied the votes as they came in.

Used in the Roman Catholic Church to refer to a high-ranking official who is appointed by the Pope and is usually involved in important Church decisions. Cardinals often have the responsibility of electing a new Pope.

• The cardinal held a special mass at the cathedral.
• Cardinals from around the world will gather in Rome to elect a new Pope.

Refers to a senior member of the Christian clergy, usually in charge of a diocese and having the authority to ordain priests and confirm members. This term is often used in various Christian denominations.

• The bishop visited the local parish to meet with the community.
• During the ceremony, the bishop anointed the new priest.

A general term for a religious leader or official in various Christian denominations. This term is broader and can refer to priests, ministers, pastors, and other religious leaders.

• The clergyman offered words of comfort to the grieving family.
• As a clergyman, he spent most of his time serving the needs of his congregation.

Refers to a high-ranking clergyman, such as a bishop or an abbot, especially in the Roman Catholic Church. This term emphasizes the official's level of authority within the church hierarchy.

• The prelate delivered an inspiring sermon during the Easter service.
• The meeting of prelates discussed important issues facing the church.