1.
express one's opinions in a way considered annoyinglypompous and dogmatic.
"he was pontificating about art and history"
Similar:
hold forth
expound
declaim
preach
lay down the law
sound off
spout (off)
dogmatize
sermonize
moralize
pronounce
lecture
expatiate
preachify
mouth off
spiel
perorate
2.
(in the Roman Catholic Church) officiate as bishop, especially at Mass.
"he pontificated at three Christmas Masses"
noun
/pänˈtifəkət/
(in the Roman Catholic Church) the office or tenure of pope or bishop.
"Pope Gregory VIII enjoyed only a ten-week pontificate"