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

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

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)