diocese
|di-o-cese|
/ˈdaɪəsɪs/
bishop's district
Etymology
'diocese' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'dioecesis', from Greek 'dioikesis' where 'dioikein' meant 'to administer'.
'diocese' changed from Greek 'dioikesis' to Late Latin 'dioecesis', passed into Old French as 'diocese', and eventually became the modern English word 'diocese' through Middle English.
Initially it meant 'administration' or 'management', but over time it evolved into its current sense of 'an area or district under a bishop's jurisdiction'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an administrative district of the Christian Church under the supervision of a bishop; the district or see served by a bishop.
The diocese includes several urban parishes and many rural churches.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the office, jurisdiction, or administration of a bishop (the governing body and its functions).
Reforms in the diocese aimed to streamline church administration.
Synonyms
Noun 3
informally, the territory or community served by a particular bishop or diocese (used to refer to the people as well as the area).
The bishop visited every parish in his diocese during the year.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/08 06:28