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

The Satanic Temple, known for its activism in defense of pluralism and secularism in American public life, announced its desire to provide chaplains soon after DeSantis signed the law. —Jeffrey S. Solochek, Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2024

Nearly three-quarters of the chaplains had considered leaving the field recently, yet 98% described their work as incredibly meaningful. —Laura Captari, The Conversation, 24 June 2024

More than 70 current and former prison officials, including chaplains, wardens and corrections officers, who came to know Dorsey during his time at Missouri’s Potosi Correctional Center supported clemency. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2024

Ben had left pastoring to become a chaplain at a children’s hospital in Delaware. —Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 30 June 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)