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 Washington, the House of Representatives interrupted its session and the chaplain prayed for the astronauts. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026

After the governor’s mansion was firebombed last year, hours after the Shapiro family had held their Passover seder, an elderly fire-department chaplain named John Wardle handed Shapiro a handwritten prayer. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026

Individuals and families can access case management, counselors, and chaplain services, in addition to shelter and hot meals. —Libby Smith, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026

Among those there to help Lori and Chris Coble in their grief was Roger Rustad, a Mission Hospital trauma chaplain who was with the family hours after the fatal crash. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 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)