chaplain

noun

chap·​lain ˈcha-plən How to pronounce chaplain (audio)
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 noun

Examples of chaplain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to Sports Spectrum, the Chiefs' team chaplain, Marcellus Casey, baptized Brown, and Casey's wife baptized Brown's fiancée. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025 In 1994, at age 75, Sister Jean began helping student-athletes ensure their grades for play and officially became the team chaplain for the university's men's basketball team, with her pre-game prayers and advice to players becoming a critical part of the team's success. Karen Mizoguchi, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the Loyola Chicago team chaplain who rose to fame during the Ramblers’ 2018 Final Four run, died Thursday. Shannon Ryan, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Joi-Marie’s mother, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, serves as the sorority’s national chaplain. Essence, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chaplain

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chaplain was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chaplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaplain. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

chaplain

noun
chap·​lain ˈchap-lən How to pronounce chaplain (audio)
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)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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