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{{Italic title}}

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'''''Emeritus''''' ({{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|m|ɛr|ᵻ|t|ə|s}}; female version: '''''emerita'''''){{#tag:ref|feminine '''''emerita''''' or '''''emeritus'''''; plural '''''emeriti''''' (masc.) or '''''emeritae''''' (fem.); abbreviation '''''emer.'''''|group=Note}} is an [[honorary title]] granted to someone who [[retirement|retires]] from a position of distinction, most commonly an academic faculty position, but is allowed to continue using the previous title, as in "professor emeritus".<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emeritus "emeritus | adjective"], [[Merriam-Webster]], 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-07.</ref>

'''''Emeritus''''' ({{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|m|ɛr|ᵻ|t|ə|s}}; female version: '''''emerita'''''){{#tag:ref|feminine '''''emerita''''' or '''''emeritus'''''; plural '''''emeriti''''' (masc.) or '''''emeritae''''' (fem.); abbreviation '''''emer.'''''|group=Note}} is an [[Title|honorary title]] that people can use when they have [[retirement|retired]] from certain important jobs. For example, when a [[professor]] at a [[university]] retires, they can use the title "professor emeritus".<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emeritus "emeritus | adjective"], [[Merriam-Webster]], 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-07.</ref>

In some cases, the term is conferred automatically upon all persons who retire at a given rank, but in others, it remains a mark of distinguished service awarded selectively on retirement. It is also used when a person of distinction in a profession retires or hands over the position, enabling their former rank to be retained in their title. The term ''emeritus'' does not necessarily signify that a person has relinquished all the duties of their former position, and they may continue to exercise some of them.

The rules for using the title are different in some situations. Sometimes, people who retire from a certain job are automatically allowed to use the title. But in other cases, only some people are selected to use the title after they retire. The title is sometimes used for people who retire from their working life, and in other cases for people who finish working in a certain position (like some [[Minister|Ministers]]). Some people with the title ''emeritus'' still have some duties of their former job; for example, emeritus professors can sometimes still teach and supervise [[Student|students]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=UCL|title=Emeritus Professors guidance and procedure|url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/hr-policies-procedures-and-advice/z-policies/emeritus-professors-guidance-and-procedure|access-date=2026-07-06|website=UCL Human Resources|language=en}}</ref>

The word ''<nowiki/>'emeritus'<nowiki/>'' comes from the [[Latin]] verb {{Lang|la|emerere}}, which means 'to complete one's service'. ''Emerere'' is a compound of the [[Latin]] prefix {{Lang|la|e-}} (variant of {{Lang|la|ex-}}) meaning 'out of, from' and {{Lang|la|merere}} (source of 'merit') meaning 'to serve, earn'. Since the early 17th century, people have used the word ''<nowiki/>'emeritus'''  to mean 'a solder who has served his time'. Over time, people have started using the words for other jobs than only soldiers.  

In descriptions of deceased professors emeriti listed at U.S. universities, the title ''emeritus'' is replaced by an indication of the years of their appointments,<ref name=":0">The Protocol School of Washington, [https://www.formsofaddress.info/emeritus/ "Emeritus | Emerita"]</ref> except in [[obituary|obituaries]], where it may be used to indicate their status at the time of death.<ref name=":0" />

In some languages, the word ''<nowiki/>'emeritus''' is only used for men, and the word ''emerita'' ({{IPAc-en|ᵻ|ˈ|m|ɛr|ᵻ|t|ə}}) is used for women, but in English the word ''emeritus'' is often used for people of any gender.<ref>{{OEtymD|emeritus|accessdate=1 June 2021|https://www.etymonline.com/word/emeritus#etymonline_v_5796}}</ref>

''Emeritus'' (past participle of Latin {{Lang|la|emerere}}, meaning 'complete one's service') is a compound of the [[Latin]] prefix {{Lang|la|e-}} (variant of {{Lang|la|ex-}}) meaning 'out of, from' and {{Lang|la|merere}} (source of 'merit') meaning 'to serve, earn'. The word is attested since the early 17th century with the meaning 'having served out one's time, having done sufficient service'. The Latin feminine equivalent, ''emerita'' ({{IPAc-en|ᵻ|ˈ|m|ɛr|ᵻ|t|ə}}), is also sometimes used, although in English the word ''emeritus'' is often unmarked for gender.<ref>{{OEtymD|emeritus|accessdate=1 June 2021|https://www.etymonline.com/word/emeritus#etymonline_v_5796}}</ref>

== In academia ==

== In academia ==

A [[tenured]] full [[professor]] who retires from an educational institution in good standing may be given the title "'''professor emeritus'''".<ref>{{cite web | title=Descriptions: Professors Emeriti, Research Professor | website=FAS Appointment and Promotion Handbook | url=https://academic-appointments.fas.harvard.edu/descriptions-professors-emeriti-research-professor | access-date=2022-10-13 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The title "'''professor emerita'''" is sometimes used for women. In most systems and institutions, the rank is bestowed on all professors who have retired in good standing, while at others, it needs a special act or vote.<ref>{{cite web | title=University of Hertfordshire: Professorships – V07.0 UPR HR08 | website=UH Policies and Proceedures | url=https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/233070/HR08-Professorships.pdf | access-date=2024-05-11 | archive-date=2024-05-11 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511211621/https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/233070/HR08-Professorships.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> Professors emeriti may, depending on local circumstances, retain office space or other privileges. The adjective may be placed before or after the title (e.g., "professor emeritus" or "emeritus professor").{{cn|date=July 2024}}

A [[Tenure|tenured]] full [[professor]] who retires from a college or university can sometimes use the title "'''professor emeritus'''" (or "emeritus professor").<ref>{{cite web | title=Descriptions: Professors Emeriti, Research Professor | website=FAS Appointment and Promotion Handbook | url=https://academic-appointments.fas.harvard.edu/descriptions-professors-emeriti-research-professor | access-date=2022-10-13 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The title "'''professor emerita'''" is sometimes used for women. In most colleges and universities, all professors who retire can use the title, but sometimes it needs a special act or vote.<ref>{{cite web | title=University of Hertfordshire: Professorships – V07.0 UPR HR08 | website=UH Policies and Proceedures | url=https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/233070/HR08-Professorships.pdf | access-date=2024-05-11 | archive-date=2024-05-11 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511211621/https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/233070/HR08-Professorships.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> A professor emeritus can sometimes still keep doing parts of their job, and may still have an office at the university.<ref name=":0" />

== Other uses ==

== Other uses ==

{{Sources|section|date=March 2021}}

{{Sources|section|date=March 2021}}

When a [[diocesan bishop]] or [[auxiliary bishop]] retires, the word ''emeritus'' is added to their former title, i.e., "Archbishop Emeritus of ...". The term "Bishop Emeritus" of a particular see can apply to several people, if the first lives long enough. The title was applied to the Bishop of Rome, ''Pope Emeritus'' [[Benedict XVI]], on his retirement. In [[Community of Christ]], the status of emeritus is occasionally granted to senior officials upon retirement. 

The title is aso used in some religions. When a [[Diocese|diocesan bishop]] or [[auxiliary bishop]] retires, the word ''emeritus'' is added to their former title, like "Archbishop Emeritus of ...".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Denver Catholic|date=2025-06-03|title=What Happens When a Roman Catholic Bishop or Archbishop Retires?|url=https://www.denvercatholic.org/what-happens-when-a-roman-catholic-bishop-or-archbishop-retires|access-date=2026-07-06|website=Denver Catholic|language=en}}</ref> There can be more than one "Bishop Emeritus" of a particular diocese, if they live long enough. When Pope [[Benedict XVI]] retired, he was called Pope Emeritus.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stanford|first=Peter|date=2022-12-31|title=Pope Benedict XVI obituary|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/31/pope-benedict-obituary|access-date=2026-07-06|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In [[Judaism]], a long-serving [[rabbi]] can also be given the title ''rabbi emeritus''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-18|title=When A Retired Rabbi Is The Elephant In The Synagogue|url=https://forward.com/news/416180/when-a-retired-rabbi-is-the-elephant-in-the-synagogue/|access-date=2026-07-06|website=The Forward|language=en}}</ref>

 

In [[Judaism]], ''emeritus'' is often a title granted to long-serving [[rabbi]]s of [[synagogues]] or other Jewish institutions. In some cases, the title is also granted to [[chazzan]]s. Rabbi ''Emeritus'' or Cantor ''Emeritus'' is largely an honorific title. 

 

Since 2001, the honorary title of president pro tempore emeritus has been given to a senator of the minority party who has previously served as [[president pro tempore of the United States Senate]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lesniewski |first=Niels |date=2014-12-10 |title=Leahy: 'Kind of Petty' Not to Fund Emeritus Office in 'Cromnibus' |url=https://rollcall.com/2014/12/10/leahy-kind-of-petty-not-to-fund-emeritus-office-in-cromnibus/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Roll Call |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Christopher M. |date=2015-09-16 |title=The President Pro Tempore of the Senate: History and Authority of the Office |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL30960 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=crsreports.congress.gov}}</ref>

It is also used in business and nonprofit organizations to denote perpetual status of the founder of an organization or individuals who made significant contributions to the institution. [[Phil Knight]], for example, is the co-founder of [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], and after decades of being the [[Chief executive officer|CEO]], he is now the chairman emeritus of the company.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-30 |title=Nike co-founder Phil Knight retires from board |url=https://apnews.com/nike-co-founder-phil-knight-retires-from-board-53265cbc98184b259b23f4d32f9bcf1d |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=apnews.com |language=en}}</ref>

The term is sometimes used in politics in the [[United States]]. A senator of the minority party who has previously served as [[president pro tempore of the United States Senate]] is called ''president pro tempore emeritus''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lesniewski |first=Niels |date=2014-12-10 |title=Leahy: 'Kind of Petty' Not to Fund Emeritus Office in 'Cromnibus' |url=https://rollcall.com/2014/12/10/leahy-kind-of-petty-not-to-fund-emeritus-office-in-cromnibus/ |access-date=2026-07-06 |website=Roll Call |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Christopher M. |date=2015-09-16 |title=The President Pro Tempore of the Senate: History and Authority of the Office |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL30960 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=crsreports.congress.gov}}</ref>  And when [[Nancy Pelosi]] retired from 20 years as [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]], the [[Steering and Policy Committees of the United States House of Representatives|House Steering and Policy Committee]] voted to give her the title of ''Speaker Emerita''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/politics/house-democrats-honor-nancy-pelosi-speaker-emerita |title=House Democrats Give Outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi a New Title to Honor Her 20 Years of Leadership |last=Alvord |first=Kyle |date=November 30, 2022 |website=People Magazine |access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref>

Following her decision to retire from Democratic leadership, the [[Steering and Policy Committees of the United States House of Representatives|House Steering and Policy Committee]] voted to grant [[Nancy Pelosi]] the title of ''Speaker Emerita'' in recognition of her service as [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]], while newly elected Speaker [[Mike Johnson]] referred to his ousted predecessor [[Kevin McCarthy]] as ''Speaker Emeritus''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/politics/house-democrats-honor-nancy-pelosi-speaker-emerita |title=House Democrats Give Outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi a New Title to Honor Her 20 Years of Leadership |last=Alvord |first=Kyle |date=November 30, 2022 |website=People Magazine |access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref>

Some businesses and nonprofit organizations can also use the term ''emeritus'' when they want to make it clear that someone has had a very important role in the organization. For example, [[Phil Knight]] is the co-founder of [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], and after decades of being the [[Chief executive officer|CEO]], he is now called ''chairman emeritus'' of the company.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-30 |title=Nike co-founder Phil Knight retires from board |url=https://apnews.com/nike-co-founder-phil-knight-retires-from-board-53265cbc98184b259b23f4d32f9bcf1d |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=apnews.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[Cabinet of Singapore]] also adopted the use of emeritus and so far it has been conferred to [[Senior Minister of Singapore]] [[Goh Chok Tong]] in 2011, when he and then-[[Minister Mentor]] [[Lee Kuan Yew]] both stepped down from the upcoming cabinet as part of the party's renewal process.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_668597.html|title=MM Lee, SM Goh to retire from Cabinet|last=Chang|first=Rachel|date=14 May 2011|work=Straits Times|access-date=14 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516065503/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_668597.html|archive-date=16 May 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=bloombergsetback>{{cite news|last=Adam|first=Shamim|title=Lee Kuan Yew Ends Five-Decade Role in Singapore Cabinet After Poll Setback|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-15/singapore-ruling-party-seeks-to-renew-image-with-lee-kuan-yew-resignation.html|access-date=7 August 2011|newspaper=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]|date=15 May 2011}}</ref> Goh retired from politics in [[2020 Singaporean general election|2020]], though his title as an emeritus was kept intact.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lim|first=Joyce|date=2 June 2020|title=Singapore GE2020: Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong retires from politics after 44 years as MP|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2020-emeritus-senior-minister-goh-chok-tong-to-retire-from-politics-after-44-years-as-mp|access-date=25 June 2020|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}</ref>

The [[Cabinet of Singapore]] also uses the term in some cases. When Senior Minister of Singapore [[Goh Chok Tong]] retired in 2011, he received the title of Emeritus Senior Minister.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mr GOH Chok Tong|url=https://www.pmo.gov.sg/about-us/past-prime-ministers/mr-goh-chok-tong/|access-date=2026-07-06|website=Prime Minister's Office Singapore|language=en}}</ref>

== Related pages ==

== Related pages ==

*[[President pro tempore emeritus of the United States Senate]]

*[[President pro tempore emeritus of the United States Senate]]