chamberlain
noun
cham·ber·lain
ˈchām-bər-lən 
1
: an attendant on a sovereign or lord in his bedchamber
2
a
: a chief officer in the household of a king or nobleman
b
3
: an often honorary papal attendant
specifically
: a priest having a rank of honor below domestic prelate
Examples of chamberlain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The camerlengo, or chamberlain, of the Church runs things during the conclave, including overseeing the conclave itself.
—
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
For Pope Francis, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the church camerlengo, or cardinal chamberlain (the official that manages the household of the pope), presided over the certification of death and the placement of the body in a coffin.
—George Petras, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
The camerlengo, or chamberlain of the Vatican, assumes temporary authority until a new pope is elected.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
In the event of a pope’s death, the person who certifies his death is the camerlengo, or chamberlain, who currently is Cardinal Farrell.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025
If a pope dies, the person who certifies his death is the camerlengo, or chamberlain, who currently is Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025
This symbiotic relationship between the military and the monarch was underscored in September when Apirat Kongsompong, the commander in chief of the Royal Thai Army, retired from the military only to be immediately appointed vice chamberlain of the palace’s Royal Household Bureau.
—Hannah Beech, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2020
And also Denzel Washington as the female pope’s chamberlain, and Madonna as her mother.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 19 Jan. 2023
In late 1318, a man named Hugh Despenser became Edward’s new chamberlain and, shortly thereafter, became Edward’s new favorite.
—Anne Thériault, Longreads, 21 June 2022
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Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
For Pope Francis, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the church camerlengo, or cardinal chamberlain (the official that manages the household of the pope), presided over the certification of death and the placement of the body in a coffin.
—George Petras, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
The camerlengo, or chamberlain of the Vatican, assumes temporary authority until a new pope is elected.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
In the event of a pope’s death, the person who certifies his death is the camerlengo, or chamberlain, who currently is Cardinal Farrell.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025
If a pope dies, the person who certifies his death is the camerlengo, or chamberlain, who currently is Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025
This symbiotic relationship between the military and the monarch was underscored in September when Apirat Kongsompong, the commander in chief of the Royal Thai Army, retired from the military only to be immediately appointed vice chamberlain of the palace’s Royal Household Bureau.
—Hannah Beech, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2020
And also Denzel Washington as the female pope’s chamberlain, and Madonna as her mother.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 19 Jan. 2023
In late 1318, a man named Hugh Despenser became Edward’s new chamberlain and, shortly thereafter, became Edward’s new favorite.
—Anne Thériault, Longreads, 21 June 2022
Cite this Entry
“Chamberlain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chamberlain. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chamberlain
noun
cham·ber·lain
ˈchām-bər-lən
1
: a chief officer in the household of a ruler or noble
2
Biographical Definition
Chamberlain 1 of 2
biographical name (1)
Cham·ber·lain
ˈchām-bər-lən
Joseph 1836–1914 and his sons Sir (Joseph) Austen 1863–1937 and (Arthur) Neville 1869–1940 British statesmen
Chamberlain
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Wilton Norman 1936–1999 American basketball player
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