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

In 2023, for example, Texas voted to allow public schools to hire religious chaplains to counsel students. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026

Watching from the crowd was Father Taras Naumenko, a Ukrainian Orthodox priest, one of Tryzub's team chaplains and a passionate soccer goalie. — Brian Mann, NPR, 25 June 2026

Lazowski also served as a longtime chaplain for the Hartford Police Department, Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living and a Senate chaplain for the state of Connecticut. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026

The availability of tailored Indigenous religion chaplains in the military may be limited, ICT reports. — Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 17 June 2026

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)