dicastery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal, technical, religious
Quick answer
What does “dicastery” mean?
A department or administrative division of the Roman Curia, the central governing body of the Catholic Church.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A department or administrative division of the Roman Curia, the central governing body of the Catholic Church.
In ancient Athens, a judicial court or assembly of citizens; by extension, any administrative or judicial body, especially within a religious or governmental hierarchy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Primarily associated with Catholic Church administration; carries formal, bureaucratic, and ecclesiastical connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; appears almost exclusively in texts about Vatican structure, Catholic canon law, or classical Athenian history.
Grammar
How to Use “dicastery” in a Sentence
the Dicastery for [Purpose]a dicastery of the Roman Curiahead of a dicasteryVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and classical history contexts.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in Catholic ecclesiology and Vatican documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dicastery”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dicastery”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dicastery”
- Misspelling as 'dicestry' or 'dicasterie'. Using it as a general synonym for 'committee' outside Catholic context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, in modern usage. Historically, it referred to judicial courts in ancient Athens.
In the current Curial structure, 'dicastery' is the umbrella term for all departments, including congregations, tribunals, and councils. A congregation is a specific type of dicastery.
The number changes with Curial reforms. As of the Apostolic Constitution 'Praedicate Evangelium' (2022), there are 16 dicasteries.
Yes, 'dicasteries' is the standard plural form.
A department or administrative division of the Roman Curia, the central governing body of the Catholic Church.
Dicastery is usually formal, technical, religious in register.
Dicastery: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈkæstəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈkæstəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DICAstery' sounds like 'DICA' (say it as 'decree-a') + 'story' – a department that deals with decrees and stories of church governance.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNANCE IS A BODY (the Curia is the body, dicasteries are its organs).
Practice
Quiz
What is a dicastery?