- (a.) Of or pertaining to shepherds; hence, relating to rural life and scenes; as, a pastoral life.
- (n.) A letter of a pastor to his charge; specifically, a letter addressed by a bishop to his diocese; also (Prot. Epis. Ch.), a letter of the House of Bishops, to be read in each parish.
- (a.) Relating to the care of souls or to the pastor of a church; as, pastoral duties; a pastoral letter.
- (n.) A cantata relating to rural life; a composition for instruments characterized by simplicity and sweetness; a lyrical composition the subject of which is taken from rural life.
- (n.) A poem describing the life and manners of shepherds; a poem in which the speakers assume the character of shepherds; an idyl; a bucolic.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). Pastoral. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/pastoral/definitions/2042579 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "Pastoral" http://smartdefine.org/pastoral/definitions/2042579 (accessed September 25, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, Pastoral, Smart Define, viewed 25 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/pastoral/definitions/2042579>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "Pastoral" 27 May 2011. Web. 25 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/pastoral/definitions/2042579> |