chaplain

noun

chap·​lain ˈcha-plən 

1

: a clergyman in charge of a chapel

2

: a clergyman 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 clergyman 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

Read more Satanists in Florida offer to fill school counselor roles after DeSantis law Florida Satanists are volunteering to fill school counselor roles after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a law allowing religious chaplains into public schools amid staffing shortages. —Aris Folley, The Hill, 9 July 2024

Without chaplains working that late on a weekend night, the nursing staff pressed on. —Susan Young, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024

Likewise, one member of Mr. Radin’s church, military chaplain Vasyl Kovalov, recalled with gratitude how Mr. Subotin had put out a fire in his house just a month after the Russian invasion. —Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Aug. 2024

The Post reported in 1989 that Cardinal James A. Hickey, the archbishop of Washington, refused a request to appoint Father Brake the official Catholic chaplain at Lorton. —Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 25 July 2024

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

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)