diocese Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop
    bishopric; episcopate.

WordNet

Di"o*cese noun
Etymology
OE. diocise, OF. diocise, F. diocése, L. dioecesis, fr. Gr. housekeeping, administration, a province, a diocese, fr. to keep house, manage; through + to manage a household, a house. See Economy.
Wordforms
plural Dioceses
Definitions
  1. (Eccl.) The circuit or extent of a bishop's jurisdiction; the district in which a bishop exercises his ecclesiastical authority. Frequently, but improperly, spelt diocess.

Webster 1913