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

Julie Beavers, a chaplain with the Sacramento Area Fire Chaplaincy, was at home with her three children, then aged 2, 4 and 6. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Officers responded during a rally held in support of Iman Ayman Soliman, an Egyptian immigrant and former Cincinnati Children's chaplain, whom ICE detained July 9. —David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025

Colleagues described a popular chaplain with nicknames for the tiny patients and soothing words for their bleary-eyed parents. —Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025

He was later engaged to former police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 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)