# pontificate

> English word · Noun · IPA /pɒnˈtɪf.ɪ.kət/ · frequency rank #52,561

## Definitions
1. The status or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.

## Etymology
From Latin pontificatus, from pontifex (“high priest”), from pons (“bridge”) + facere (“make”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pontificate