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

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

The airport said Tuesday chaplains were available on-site. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025

The Salvation Army led hymns under the supervision of the jail chaplain. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Until recently, only a Department of Corrections chaplain could join an execution team in the death chamber. —Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 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)