1. The office and dignity of a bishop
   "He held the episcopate for over two decades";
   - bishopry [archaic]
    
2. The collective body of bishops
   "The episcopate met to discuss church policy";
   - episcopacy
    
3. The territorial jurisdiction of a bishop
   "The episcopate covered three counties";
   - diocese, bishopric
    
4. The term of office of a bishop
   "His episcopate lasted for 25 years"

Derived forms: episcopates

Type of: berth, incumbency, jurisdiction, office, people, place, position, post, situation, tenure, term of office

Encyclopedia: Episcopate