plural pallia
ˈpa-lē-ə 
or palliums
or palliums
1
a
: a white woolen band with pendants in front and back worn over the chasuble by a pope or archbishop as a symbol of full episcopal authority
b
: a draped rectangular cloth worn as a cloak by men of ancient Greece and Rome
2
[New Latin, from Latin, cloak]
a
b(1)
: the mantle of a mollusk or brachiopod
(2)
: the mantle of a bird
Examples of pallium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The pallium — a strip of lambswool — was placed on Leo’s shoulders with three pins representing his role as a shepherd and the nails of Christ’s crucifixion.
—
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 18 May 2025
Pope Benedict chose a pallium that had not been worn for about a millennium.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 18 May 2025
The two symbols of the papacy handed to Leo were the pallium stole and the fisherman’s ring.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
The pallium, a liturgical vestment made of wool from lambs raised by Trappist monks, symbolizes the pope’s role as the shepherd of the faithful; the pope’s pallium is worn on the shoulders, fastened with three pins resembling the nails of the cross, according to the National Catholic Reporter.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
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Rachel Raposas, People.com, 18 May 2025
Pope Benedict chose a pallium that had not been worn for about a millennium.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 18 May 2025
The two symbols of the papacy handed to Leo were the pallium stole and the fisherman’s ring.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
The pallium, a liturgical vestment made of wool from lambs raised by Trappist monks, symbolizes the pope’s role as the shepherd of the faithful; the pope’s pallium is worn on the shoulders, fastened with three pins resembling the nails of the cross, according to the National Catholic Reporter.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pallium
Cite this Entry
“Pallium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pallium. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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