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

At the start of Ramadan, a Muslim chaplain was allowed to visit two women held for many months in immigration detention in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. —Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026

At the start of Ramadan, a Muslim chaplain was allowed to visit two women held for many months in immigration detention in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. —ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026

Bernard, who runs the Christian Cultural Center in Starrett City, Brooklyn, with a membership of more than 37,000 people, said being an NYPD chaplain was a calling in and of itself. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026

City officials said Harbert’s volunteer role with the Police Department’s chaplain program was ended because his posts broke Police Department and city policies. —Andrea Klick, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026

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)