chaplain

noun chap·lain \ ˈcha-plən \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

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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chaplaincy

play \-sē\ noun

See chaplain defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of chaplain from the Web

In CAIR’s complaint, the prison’s policy required Muslim inmates to sign up for Ramadan meals by the end of January; those who missed the deadline were required to get permission from prison chaplains to eat.

— montana couser, The Root, "Muslim Inmates Finally Granted Meals During Ramadan After Days With No Food," 12 June 2018
The Police Department's chaplain and wellness team, as well as the Salvation Army's Chaplaincy Program, have been providing support to Irvine's family and fellow officers in the days since his death.

— ashley luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Vigil, funeral arrangements set for Milwaukee police officer Charles Irvine Jr.," 11 June 2018
Debra Smith came to Southwestern in her late-30s to become a hospice chaplain — the same year Patterson became president there, in 2003.

— michelle boorstein, The Seattle Times, "Thousands of conservative women behind the fall of Southern Baptists’ Paige Patterson," 10 June 2018
Debra Smith came to Southwestern in her late-30s to become a hospice chaplain — the same year Patterson became president there, in 2003.

— michelle boorstein, Washington Post, "How women led to the dramatic rise and fall of Southern Baptist leader Paige Patterson," 10 June 2018
The dinner was instead attended by a number of Middle Eastern diplomats and senior officials, including representatives from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, as well as one American Muslim military chaplain.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "Trump White House under fire for lack of Muslim-American representation at Ramadan celebration," 8 June 2018
Two other Democrats are also on the June 26 ballot: teacher Ralph Jaffe and Baltimore police chaplain James Jones.

— erin cox, baltimoresun.com, "Democratic candidates for Maryland governor to debate today as campaign enters final stretch," 5 June 2018
After an opening prayer by American Legion #232 chaplain Ricky Chmielik and comments from Hammond’s mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr., the day’s agenda began.

— sue ellen ross, Post-Tribune, "Street fair highlights Hessville revival efforts," 4 June 2018
Rose Hudson-Wilkin is the first black female chaplain to the queen.

— lindsay peoples, The Cut, "The 7 Best Black Joy Moments at the Royal Wedding," 20 May 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Christian Religious Terms

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

CHAPLAIN Defined for English Language Learners

chaplain

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.

CHAPLAIN Defined for Kids

chaplain

noun chap·lain \ ˈcha-plən \

Definition of chaplain for Students

: a member of the clergy who performs religious services for a special group (as the army)

Learn More about chaplain

See words that rhyme with chaplain Spanish Central: Translation of chaplain Nglish: Translation of chaplain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chaplain for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chaplain

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Definition of chaplain

chaplaincy

Recent Examples of chaplain from the Web

Origin and Etymology of chaplain

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Definition of chaplain for English Language Learners

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