1. the office, rank, or position of a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church
Usage: formal; religious context
2. the period of time during which someone holds the rank of cardinal
Usage: formal; religious context

Examples

• He was elevated to cardinalship in 2012.
• During his cardinalship, he oversaw significant reforms in the diocese.
• The cardinalship carries considerable influence within the Church hierarchy.
• She aspired to cardinalship as the highest honor in her religious career.
• His cardinalship lasted for nearly two decades before his retirement.