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

Soni oversees more student religious groups than any other chaplain in the country and has observed a trend: About 50% of students entering college have no religious background. —Lisa Ling, CBS News, 12 Sep. 2024

According to a department spokesperson, the names on the wall include firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, civilian employees — and the chaplain of the department. —Avery Lotz, Axios, 11 Sep. 2024

In Florida, Louisiana and Texas, new laws authorize schools to hire or allow volunteer religious chaplains to provide counseling support to students. —Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 4 July 2024

Read more Satanists in Florida offer to fill school counselor roles after DeSantis law Florida Satanists are volunteering to fill school counselor roles after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a law allowing religious chaplains into public schools amid staffing shortages. —Aris Folley, The Hill, 9 July 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)