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

The ceremony opened with an invocation and prayer by Alan Clark, chaplain of Laguna Woods American Legion Post 257, honoring the more than 1 million military fatalities since the Revolutionary War in 1775. —Anita Gosch, Oc Register, 1 June 2025

Their claims led federal prosecutors to indict eight former prison officials — including a former warden and a chaplain — on a slew of charges. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 20 June 2025

He will be assigned to Holy Family Parish in LaPorte with Father Nate Edquist, pastor, and serve as a hospital chaplain in Michigan City. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025

Members of Congress regularly invite guest chaplains to deliver prayers Miller’s post sparked bipartisan condemnation. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 6 June 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)