Vatican

noun

Vat·​i·​can ˈva-ti-kən How to pronounce Vatican (audio)
1
: the papal headquarters in Rome
2
: the papal government
Vatican adjective

Examples of Vatican 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 choice was inspired by Leo XIII, the late-nineteenth-century cleric who was outspoken in his support for working people and the poor—and who also happened to be the founder of the modern Vatican Observatory. Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 28 July 2025 The iconic cobblestones date back to the 16th century, when they were first used to cover Saint Peter’s Square in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the iconic Italian High Renaissance church in Vatican City. Sarah Gearhart, Outside Online, 28 July 2025 Lucas shared three black-and-white photos on Instagram announcing the news, tagging the location as Vatican City. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 19 July 2025 There’s particular frustration in the administration over the delay in confirming Trump’s Vatican ambassador pick Brian Burch, said one person close to the president. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for Vatican

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin (mons) Vāticānus, hill on the west bank of the Tiber, the traditional site of the apostle Peter's tomb, on which a basilica was built in the 4th century

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Vatican was in 1555

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Cite this Entry

“Vatican.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Vatican. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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