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chaplain

noun chap·lain \ ˈcha-plən \
|Updated on: 13 Jul 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

See chaplain defined for kids

Recent Examples of chaplain from the Web

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

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

  1. 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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