chaplain

noun

chap·​lain ˈcha-plən 

1

: a clergyperson in charge of a chapel

2

: a clergyperson officially attached to a branch of the military, to an institution, or to a family or court

3

: a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as at a meeting of a club or society)

4

: a clergyperson appointed to assist a bishop (as at a liturgical function)

chaplaincy

ˈcha-plən-sē 

noun

Examples of chaplain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rahman, a criminal justice professor at the Community College of Philadelphia, formerly worked for the city's Department of Prisons and the Sheriff's Office, and is a Philly police chaplain. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025

Listen to this article An NYPD chaplain had an unholy hookup, according to police. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025

Additionally, the chaplain program received $567, the canine account received $659.09, and the jail canteen received $18.24. NEW POSITIONS McLeod County commissioners greenlit several personnel additions aimed at addressing various needs within county services. —Janean Sorrell, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025

Among those Francis recognized this week as being one day potentially worthy of sainthood was Emil Joseph Kapaun, an American chaplain who served with the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. —Willem Marx, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chapelein, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin cappellanus, from cappella

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for chaplain

• caplin

Kids Definition

chaplain

noun

chap·​lain ˈchap-lən 

1

: a member of the clergy officially attached to a special group (as the army)

2

: a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as for a club)