chaplain

play

noun 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)

chaplaincy

play \-sē\ noun

See chaplain defined for English-language learners

See chaplain defined for kids

Recent Examples of chaplain from the Web

As founder and chief executive officer of the Peace Institute, Ms. Chéry – a chaplain who goes by Tina – has received widespread recognition for her work.

— gretel kauffman, The Christian Science Monitor, "A mother who knows from experience what families dealing with homicide need", 2 June 2017
The Sheriff's Office chaplain was on scene speaking to another woman, possibly the dead man's mother, who at one point had to be restrained from running to the body.

— michelle hunter, NOLA.com, "JPSO names man killed in reported armed robbery at Marrero store", 31 May 2017
Hilton, whose sister is a Cincinnati police officer, has volunteered as a chaplain for the department.

— associated press, Washington Post, "Pastor who urged peace after cop’s mistrial may reprise role", 29 May 2017
A volunteer chaplain such as Bruce Feltmann, 74, ex-Navy, ex-Army, who then worked at the Kenworth Trucks assembly line here, helps guide the ceremonies.

— erik lacitis, The Seattle Times, "A sacred ritual for veterans at Tahoma National Cemetery", 28 May 2017
Marlin Gray sang the national anthem and chaplain Sgt.

— carole carlson, chicagotribune.com, "Gary's fallen officers leave noble legacy", 26 May 2017
Then I was hired by the HealthCare Chaplaincy Network, a nonprofit organization that provides interfaith chaplains to help people faced with illness, and operates at major New York hospitals like Winthrop and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

— elizabeth olson, New York Times, "Finding Meaning in Health Crises", 25 May 2017
Maskell, a chaplain and counselor at the school, denied any wrongdoing and was never charged.

— jonathan m. pitts, baltimoresun.com, "'The Keepers,' pending closure shadow Seton Keough's final days", 25 May 2017
All three were pulled to safety and taken to a hospital in Tacoma, where the hospital chaplain performed the ceremony.

— wired staff, WIRED, "I Do-ooooooooo", 13 June 2002

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.

Origin and Etymology of chaplain

Middle English chapelein, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin cappellanus, from cappella

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

CHAPLAIN Defined for English Language Learners

chaplain

play

noun

Definition of chaplain for English Language Learners

: 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.