chaplain

noun

chap·​lain ˈcha-plən 

1

: a clergyperson in charge of a chapel

2

: a clergyperson 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 clergyperson 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

There were heartfelt tributes, proclamations, poetry, and a blessing from our chaplain. —Norman B. Gildin, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026

Latif is the executive director and co-founder of the Islamic Center of New York City, and was appointed a New York City Police Department chaplain in 2007. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026

The 76-year-old volunteered as a chaplain for 47 years with the Dakota County Sheriff's Office. —Jason Rantala, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2025

The cart — and the team of counselors, chaplains, peer coaches, and therapy dogs that accompany it — was borne out of necessity during the Covid pandemic, says Shannon Bates, chief nursing officer at Covenant Children’s Hospital. —Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for chaplain

• caplin

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)