1. the office, rank, or term of a bishop
2. the body or order of bishops collectively
3. the period during which a bishop holds office

Examples

• He was elevated to the episcopate in 2015.
• The episcopate of the Anglican Church met to discuss doctrine.
• During her episcopate, the diocese expanded its charitable programs.
• The early Christian episcopate developed gradually over the first centuries.
• Members of the episcopate are responsible for ordaining priests.
• His episcopate lasted twenty years before his retirement.