noun
- the ceremonial vestments and regalia worn by a bishop or other high-ranking church official during religious services
Usage: ecclesiastical; usually plural
Examples
- The bishop donned his pontificals for the Easter service.
- The cathedral’s treasury displayed ancient pontificals dating back centuries.
- He appeared in full pontificals for the ordination ceremony.
- The elaborate pontificals included a jeweled mitre and golden cope.
- The museum’s collection of pontificals attracted many visitors.
- She carefully preserved the historic pontificals in climate-controlled storage.