chapter

noun

chap·​ter ˈchap-tər How to pronounce chapter (audio)
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

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Volkov had offered as proof of authenticity the fact that the composer had signed one page of each chapter. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024 Divided into five chapters from the 1930s through to the 1970s, Parkinson’s work for Vogue magazine captures the great beauties of the day chronicling the changing face of fashion in each era. Emma Baxter-Wright, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Dougie Corrado has a unique format and is hungry for the next chapter. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024 In each chapter, author (and SELF contributor) Gyan Yankovich breaks down why creating lasting friendships is so important—and reminds us why our favorite people are worth connecting with online or IRL, even when doing so is difficult. Sarah Felbin, SELF, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chapter 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of chapter was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near chapter

Cite this Entry

“Chapter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chapter. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

chapter

noun
chap·​ter ˈchap-tər How to pronounce chapter (audio)
1
a
: a main division of a book or of a law code
b
: something like a chapter in being a significant unit
a chapter in my life
2
: a local branch of an organization

More from Merriam-Webster on chapter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!