- (noun) a leading dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinals are nominated by the pope and form the Sacred College;
- (noun) a 'New World' songbird of the bunting family, with a stout bill and typically with a conspicuous crest. The male is partly, or mostly, red in colour;
- (adjective) of the greatest importance; fundamental (ex. the two cardinal points must be borne in mind);
- (noun) a common surname of those stemming from the Cree or Metis family in Canada.