chaplain

noun

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chap·lain | \ ˈcha-plən

Definition of chaplain

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)

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Examples of chaplain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ray had objected that a Christian chaplain employed by the prison typically remained in the execution chamber during a lethal injection, but the state would not let his imam be present. — Jessica Gresko, ajc, "Religion and the death penalty collide at the Supreme Court," 12 Feb. 2021 In the past, Alabama routinely brought in a Christian prison chaplain who would pray with an inmate if requested. — Fox News, "Alabama execution canceled after inmate’s fight for pastor in chamber," 12 Feb. 2021 In the past, Alabama routinely brought in a prison chaplain who would pray with an inmate if requested. — Kim Chandler, Star Tribune, "Alabama seeks to be 1st state to execute an inmate this year," 11 Feb. 2021 The team’s head coach, Jon Gruden, had an idea about luring Cunningham back — as the Raiders’ chaplain. — New York Times, "Randall Cunningham Is Back in the N.F.L. … as Raiders Chaplain," 31 Dec. 2020 Rabbi Isaac Neuman, a survivor of Auschwitz, twice served as a guest chaplain. — Washington Post, "Praying for the politicians: A new book recounts the history of rabbis in the Capitol," 9 Dec. 2020 Butler served as chaplain at The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach for 22 years. — Mort Mazor, sun-sentinel.com, "Seniors rely on each other amid COVID-19 uncertainty," 4 Dec. 2020 Coincidentally, Wattigny’s replacement as Pope John Paul II chaplain was Clark. — Sara Pagones, NOLA.com, "Archbishop burns altar where Pearl River priest had group sex as attorney says it was all legal," 9 Oct. 2020 The reality of Cunningham’s first season as Raiders chaplain has been plenty different from the hands-on pastoring and locker room camaraderie that have been made impossible this season because of the N.F.L.’s Covid-19 protocol. — New York Times, "Randall Cunningham Is Back in the N.F.L. … as Raiders Chaplain," 31 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chaplain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

1 Mar 2021

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“Chaplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaplain. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for chaplain

chaplain

noun

English Language Learners Definition of chaplain

: a priest or other Christian religious leader who performs religious services for a military group (such as the army) or for a prison, hospital, etc.

See the full definition for chaplain in the English Language Learners Dictionary

chaplain

noun

chap·lain | \ ˈcha-plən