chapter

noun chap·ter \ ˈchap-tər \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of chapter

1 a : a main division of a book

b : something resembling a chapter in being a significant specified unit

a new chapter in my life

2 a : a regular meeting of the canons of a cathedral or collegiate church or of the members of a religious house

b : the body of canons of a cathedral or collegiate church

3 : a local branch of an organization

See chapter defined for English-language learners

See chapter defined for kids

Examples of chapter in a Sentence

Chapter three deals with the country's economy.
Please read the first two chapters of your textbook for our next class.
Becoming a parent opened up a whole new chapter in my life.
a difficult chapter in European history

Recent Examples of chapter from the Web

Tanya Faison, founder of Sacramento’s chapter of Black Lives Matter, on March 28, 2018 said protests often move organically following the lead of the grieving family and friends.

— don sweeney, sacbee, "Teacher behind Black Lives Matter walkout won’t be fired after all, Oregon officials say | The Sacramento Bee," 4 Apr. 2018
Members of the expat community support the Rosarito Beach Red Cross, and have formed a Friends of the Library chapter.

— sandra dibble, latimes.com, "Meghan Markle's father lives in a quiet Baja town; but the British paparazzi have come knocking," 1 Apr. 2018
The event, created by the leader of a local chapter of Our Revolution, prompted backlash from Clinton allies, leading Sanders’ top adviser to condemn it and disassociate his boss from the group, which grew out of Sanders presidential campaign.

— james freeman, WSJ, "Hillary, Jeb and the Trump Kids," 30 Mar. 2018
When the rioting began,the rangy, soft-spoken Griffin — then president of the Baltimore chapter of the Congress on Racial Equality -- headed across town to East Baltimore, near CORE’s local office, and tried to calm people down.

— jonathan m. pitts, baltimoresun.com, "Martin Luther King Jr.'s death changed lives — and Baltimore's civil rights movement," 30 Mar. 2018
More than $3 billion worth of large construction projects are in the works in the region, said Mark Wylie, president and chief executive officer of the Central Florida chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors Inc.

— martin e. comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Sanford airport expansion project cost jumps nearly 40 percent to $60.6M," 28 Mar. 2018
Action Ridge welcomes 'Moms Demand Action' Jan Starzec, leader of the Park Ridge chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, will be the featured speaker during the next meeting of Action Ridge, the group announced.

— jennifer johnson, chicagotribune.com, "What's happening in Park Ridge: Easter egg hunt comes to South Park; drug awareness town hall planned," 27 Mar. 2018
Nelson Linder, who serves as the president of Austin’s chapter of the NAACP, has been warning residents to be sure to keep their kids away from the mail.

— maya rhodan, Time, "A Series of Bombings Leaves Austin on Edge as Police Search for Answers," 22 Mar. 2018
Tanya Faison, founder of the Sacramento chapter of Black Lives Matter, told reporters.

— p.r. lockhart, Vox, "Police shot and killed an unarmed black man in his own backyard. All he was holding was a cellphone.," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chapter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of chapter

Middle English chapitre, from Anglo-French chapitre, chapitle, from Late Latin capitulum division of a book & Medieval Latin, meeting place of canons, from Latin, diminutive of capit-, caput head — more at head

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

chapter Synonyms

Synonyms

cut, degree, grade, inch, notch, peg, phase, place, point, stage, step;

Related Words

angle, aspect, facet, side;

amount, measure, plane;

decrement, increment;

CHAPTER Defined for English Language Learners

chapter

noun

Definition of chapter for English Language Learners

: one of the main sections of a book
: a period of time that is very different from the period of time before it
: the people in a certain area who make up one section of a large organization

CHAPTER Defined for Kids

chapter

noun chap·ter \ ˈchap-tər \

Definition of chapter for Students

1 : a main division of a book or story

2 : a local branch of a club or organization

the charity's Springfield chapter

Learn More about chapter

See words that rhyme with chapter Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chapter Spanish Central: Translation of chapter Nglish: Translation of chapter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chapter for Arabic speakers

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chapter

Definition of chapter

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CHAPTER Defined for English Language Learners

chapter

Definition of chapter for English Language Learners

CHAPTER Defined for Kids

chapter

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