chaplain

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

chaplaincy

2 of 2

noun (2)

chap·​lain·​cy ˈcha-plən-sē 

plural -es

: the office, position, or station of a chaplain

Examples of chaplain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Researching his story, the museum discovered that Morais has a descendant who currently works as a prison chaplain in Pennsylvania. — Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Faithful gather to sing hymns and sip Bloody Marys, and a revolving cast of chaplains, including one who once served at the University of Texas chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, lead services. — Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 20 July 2026

Florida has previously followed Texas on education policy, adopting a religious chaplain policy in 2024 a year after Texas did. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Jacob James, who first had to educate the post’s chaplains himself. — Kerri J. Malloy, The Conversation, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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)