1. the office, rank, or dignity of a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church
Usage: formal; religious context
2. the period during which a person holds the office of cardinal
Usage: formal; religious context

Examples

• He was elevated to the cardinalate in 2012.
• During his cardinalate, he oversaw significant reforms in the diocese.
• The cardinalate is one of the highest honors in the Catholic Church.
• She aspired to reach the cardinalate through decades of devoted service.
• His cardinalate lasted for nearly thirty years before his retirement.